Anwarulhaq
NEW DELHI: In a significant development, the Supreme Court is closely examining the integrity of the National Eligibility cum Entrance Test for Undergraduate courses (NEET-UG) 2024, following widespread allegations of paper leaks and malpractices. Chief Justice of India DY Chandrachud has posed a series of questions to the Union Government and the National Testing Agency (NTA) regarding the nature and extent of the alleged paper leak.
During a hearing on Monday, the Supreme Court acknowledged that a breach in the exam’s sanctity had indeed occurred. “One thing which is very clear is that the leak has taken place. That the sanctity of the exam has been breached is beyond doubt,” remarked CJI Chandrachud. The court is now grappling with determining the scope of the leak to decide whether a re-examination is necessary.
The NEET-UG 2024, conducted on May 5 with results declared on June 4, saw participation from over 23 lakh students across 4,751 centers in 571 cities. The exam’s credibility has come under scrutiny due to multiple factors, including an unprecedented number of perfect scores and alleged irregularities in several states.
Key Issues Under Examination:
1. Nature and Extent of the Leak: The court is seeking to ascertain whether the leak was isolated or widespread. CJI Chandrachud noted, “If the modality of the leak is through electronic means and social media, then there is a possibility that the leak is widespread.”
2. Timing of the Leak: The bench emphasized the importance of understanding the time gap between the leak and the actual exam. A shorter time frame might argue against the need for a re-test.
3. Identification of Beneficiaries: The court has asked authorities to explain their methods for identifying students who may have benefited from the leak.
4. Unusual Patterns in Results: The bench highlighted several “red flags,” including an unusually high number of perfect scores (720/720), students changing exam centers to distant locations and scoring high marks, and inconsistencies between NEET scores and Class XII performance.
5. Investigation Status: The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) has been asked to submit a status report on its ongoing investigation into the paper leak cases.
The Supreme Court has directed the NTA to provide comprehensive information on the leak’s nature, locations, and the time lag between the occurrence of the leak and the exam’s conduct. The agency must also detail its efforts to identify affected centers and cities, as well as the number of students identified as potential beneficiaries of the leak.
Importantly, the court is considering the feasibility of using data analytics to identify suspect cases, potentially separating “tainted” from “untainted” candidates. This approach could help determine whether a complete re-examination is necessary or if targeted action against identified wrongdoers would suffice.
Petitioners’ Arguments:
Lawyers representing the petitioners have argued for the cancellation of the entire NEET-UG 2024 exam. They cited arrests made by Bihar police related to question paper leaks via the Telegram app and referenced precedents suggesting that if faults occur at a systemic level and it’s impossible to segregate tainted and untainted candidates, the entire exam should be nullified.
The petitioners also pointed out apparent contradictions in the NTA’s stance, noting that the agency claims to be unsure about the systemic nature of the fraud while simultaneously asserting that the irregularities are minimal.
Government and NTA Response:
The Union Government and the NTA have filed affidavits opposing the demand for exam cancellation. They maintain that the alleged malpractices are isolated incidents and do not warrant scrapping the entire exam, which would jeopardize the future of lakhs of honest students.
Solicitor General of India Tushar Mehta informed the court that in Bihar, students involved in wrongdoing have been identified and their results withheld. However, he denied widespread paper leaks, stating that the matter is still under investigation.
The Supreme Court has voiced concerns about ensuring the sanctity of future NEET exams. It suggested the constitution of a multi-disciplinary committee comprising renowned experts to prevent such incidents in the future.
In a related development, the Ministry of Education has already formed a high-level committee chaired by former ISRO Chairman Dr. K Radhakrishnan to recommend reforms in the examination process, improve data security protocols, and enhance the structure and functioning of the NTA.
The court has adjourned the hearing to July 11, by which time the Union Government, NTA, and CBI are expected to provide detailed responses to the court’s queries. The outcome of this case could have far-reaching implications for the NEET-UG exam and potentially for other national-level competitive exams in India. The court’s decision will not only impact the immediate fate of NEET-UG 2024 but could also set important precedents for handling similar situations in the future.