NEET Row: SC Again Declines To Stay NEET UG 2024 Counselling, Issues Notice To NTA

NEET Row: The Supreme Court on Friday again declined to stay the process of NEET-UG 2024 counselling.

NEET-UG row: SC again declines to stay counselling; next hearing on July 8.

Source : PTI

NEET UG Controversy: The Supreme Court on Friday again refused to stay the NEET-UG 2024 counselling process and issued a notice to the National Testing Agency (NTA). This decision was made by a vacation bench during a hearing on pleas demanding a probe, cancellation, and retest of the NEET-UG 2024 exam due to allegations of question paper leaks and other malpractices.

On Thursday, the Supreme Court also refused to stay the National Entrance-cum-Eligibility Test (NEET) retest for 1,563 students and listed the matter for further hearing on July 8. The top court was hearing a batch of fresh petitions seeking cancellation of the retest scheduled for Sunday.

Additionally, the Supreme Court issued a notice regarding an NTA plea to transfer all petitions related to the NEET-UG 2024 exam from various High Courts to the apex court. Justice Vikram Nath, leading the bench, stayed proceedings in different High Courts but maintained that the counselling process would continue unabated.

The NEET-UG medical admissions have been mired in controversy since the exams were conducted on May 5. Allegations have surfaced regarding paper leaks, delays at exam centers, tampering of OMR sheets, exam malpractices, and incorrectly framed questions. The National Testing Agency (NTA), responsible for conducting the medical entrance exam, has faced numerous allegations and several court cases across India. Over 24 lakh students participated this year in the exam nationwide.

On Thursday, Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan addressed the "isolated incidents" of the NEET-UG exam following allegations of leaked question papers. He assured that those found guilty would face consequences. He said that the government would not compromise the futures of students who passed with good scores due to these "isolated incidents."

Reacting to the UGC-NET exam cancelation, the Education Minister said, "Paper leak is an institutional failure of NTA. We assure you that there will be a reform committee and action will be taken".