NEW DELHI, June 20: On Thursday, the Supreme Court issued notices to the Centre, the National Testing Agency (NTA), and others in response to petitions seeking the cancellation of NEET-UG 2024. The petitions also called for a court-monitored probe into alleged irregularities in the medical entrance exam.
A vacation bench comprising Justices Vikram Nath and SVN Bhatti requested responses from all parties involved, including those concerning separate pleas filed by the NTA. These pleas aim to transfer certain pending petitions from various high courts to the apex court. The bench has scheduled the next hearing for July 8.
One of the petitions, filed by 20 students who appeared for the medical entrance exam, demands that the NTA conduct the test afresh.
During a separate hearing on June 18, the Supreme Court emphasized that even a “0.001 percent negligence” in conducting the examination must be thoroughly addressed. The court underscored the importance of integrity in the examination process, particularly given the significant efforts students invest in their preparations.
The NTA is responsible for conducting the National Eligibility-cum-Entrance Test (Undergraduate), the all-India pre-medical entrance examination.
Previously, on June 18, the apex court sought responses from the Centre and the NTA on another plea calling for a Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) probe into allegations of question paper leaks and other irregularities in the NEET-UG 2024 exam. The examination, held on May 5, spanned 4,750 centers and was taken by approximately 24 lakh candidates.
These developments mark a critical juncture in addressing the concerns of aspirants and ensuring the credibility of the medical entrance examination process.
