NEET-UG 2024 Controversy: Over Half of Candidates Skip Re-exam; CBI Probes Irregularities

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Over 50% of NEET-UG Candidates Skip Re-exam Amidst Ongoing Controversy

Team Finance Saathi

24/Jun/2024

Key Points:

Over 750 out of 1,563 candidates awarded grace marks skipped the NEET-UG re-exam.
The CBI has registered an FIR to investigate alleged irregularities in the NEET-UG exam.
The Supreme Court mandated a re-exam after petitions from students alleging exam discrepancies.

The NEET-UG 2024 exam, held on May 5, has been marred by controversy, leading to significant legal and administrative actions. The National Testing Agency (NTA) faced a challenging situation when discrepancies emerged, prompting the Supreme Court to mandate a re-exam for candidates awarded grace marks due to a delayed start at several exam centers.

Background and Initial Issues:

The NEET-UG exam is a crucial medical entrance examination for aspiring doctors in India. On May 5, the exam was conducted, but various issues led to widespread discontent. Six centers reported delayed starts, causing significant disruptions for candidates. To compensate for this lost time, the NTA awarded grace marks to 1,563 affected candidates. However, this decision sparked protests and legal petitions, with students alleging unfairness and demanding a re-exam.

Supreme Court Intervention:

Responding to the petitions, the Supreme Court intervened, leading to a landmark decision to conduct a re-exam for the affected students. The NTA was instructed to withdraw the previously awarded grace marks and offer a re-exam, which was scheduled for June 23. This re-exam aimed to provide a fair opportunity for the candidates impacted by the initial delays.

Re-exam Attendance:

Despite the efforts to ensure fairness, the re-exam saw a significant number of absentees. According to a senior NTA official, over 750 of the 1,563 candidates skipped the re-exam. This means only 813 candidates, approximately 52%, chose to retake the test across centers in Chandigarh, Chattisgarh, Gujarat, Haryana, and Meghalaya. The low turnout has raised questions about the candidates' confidence in the examination process and the effectiveness of the re-exam as a remedial measure.

CBI Investigation:

Compounding the controversy, allegations of irregularities, including a paper leak, surfaced. The Ministry of Education, recognizing the severity of these allegations, requested the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) to probe the matter comprehensively. The CBI registered an FIR under IPC sections 420 (fraud) and 120B (conspiracy), initiating a thorough investigation.

The investigation aims to uncover the depth of the conspiracy, involving cheating, forgery, breach of trust, and destruction of evidence by candidates, institutions, and intermediaries. Special CBI teams have been dispatched to critical locations, including Patna and Godhra, to collaborate with local police and gather essential evidence.

Debarring Candidates:

The NTA has taken strict actions against candidates involved in unfair practices. Initially, 63 candidates were debarred, with an additional 47 candidates from Bihar and Gujarat being debarred subsequently. These steps underscore the NTA's commitment to maintaining the integrity of the examination process.

Implications and Future Steps:

The ongoing controversy has significant implications for the credibility of the NEET-UG exam. The NTA, along with judicial and investigative bodies, faces the challenge of restoring trust in the examination system. Ensuring transparency, fairness, and stringent measures against malpractice are crucial steps moving forward.

For the candidates, this period of uncertainty has been stressful, with their academic futures hanging in the balance. The results of the re-exam, expected to be declared before June 30, will be crucial in determining the immediate academic pathways for these students.

Conclusion:

The NEET-UG 2024 controversy highlights the complexities and challenges in conducting large-scale competitive exams. While the re-exam and the CBI investigation are steps towards addressing these issues, the broader goal remains to establish a robust, transparent, and fair examination system that upholds the aspirations and hard work of millions of students.

Moving forward, it will be essential for the NTA and educational authorities to implement lessons learned from this controversy, ensuring such issues are prevented in future examinations. The integrity and credibility of the NEET-UG exam, a gateway to medical education in India, must be upheld to maintain the trust and confidence of all stakeholders involved.

Also Read : Opposition’s I.N.D.I.A Bloc to March Together on First Day of 18th Lok Sabha Session

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Over 50% of NEET-UG Candidates Skip Re-exam Amidst Ongoing Controversy

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