NEET row: SC notice to NTA over 'inconsistent' marks calculation
What's the story
The Supreme Court on Thursday issued a notice to the National Testing Agency regarding alleged irregularities in the calculation of marks for the National Eligibility cum Entrance Test-Undergraduate (NEET-UG) 2024. This came in response to a petition from a learning app claiming an "inconsistent" calculation of marks on Optical Mark Recognition (OMR) sheets. The court has instructed NTA to respond by July 8, when the hearing will take place.
Context
Why does this story matter?
The petition highlights significant issues regarding the integrity of the NEET-UG exam conducted on May 5. The results, which were released on June 4, have become controversial due to claims of irregularities and malpractice. According to the petitioners, more than 1,500 students received grace marks, substantially affecting the overall rankings and fairness of the examination.
Petition details
Concerns raised over OMR sheet distribution
The petition also highlighted issues with the distribution of OMR sheets to NEET-UG 2024 examinees, alleging that several students did not receive them. A vacation bench of Justices Manoj Misra and SVN Bhatti asked the NTA to provide a response regarding the time frame for raising grievances related to the OMR sheets. "Let us know if there is a timeline to provide the OMR sheets. As of now we will tag it. Let NTA seek instructions on this," it added.
Probe initiated
SC pulls up coaching centres
During the hearing, the bench also pulled up coaching centres, saying they have "no role to play." "This is one of the reasons where we see this role played by the coaching centres, bagpipers. They have hardly any role to play. Their obligation and duty...if they have discharged their service that is the end of the matter. They have not undertaken to see that everything that Centre is supposed to do....will be taken care by them," Justice Bhatti said.
Information
CBI investigating irregularities in NEET-UG 2024
Alongside the Supreme Court, the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) has been assigned to investigate various cases concerning the purported paper leak and exam manipulation. The CBI's inquiry extends across several states and has resulted in the interrogation of individuals and multiple arrests related to the case.
Parliament address
President Murmu's statement on exam row
Notably, during her address to a joint session of Parliament earlier today, President Droupadi Murmu emphasized the government's commitment to investigating allegations of exam paper leaks. "If due to any reason, there is an obstruction in examinations it is not appropriate. Sanctity and transparency are a must in government recruitments and examinations," she said. "The government is committed to conducting a fair investigation...ensuring the most stringent punishment to those guilty in the recent incidents of paper leak," she added.