The National Eligibility cum Entrance Test (NEET)-UG 2024, a vital exam for medical aspirants in India, faced significant controversy because of allegations of question paper leaks, the awarding of grace marks and concerns over exam integrity.
On 5 May 2024, allegations of question paper leaks surfaced. There were complaints and arrests made in Patna, Bihar and Godhra, Gujrat. The cases were later handed over to the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI). In addition, The NTA (national Testing Agency )issued a public notice stating that an incorrect distribution of papers had occurred at the Girls Higher Secondary Model Vidya Mandir examination centre in Sawai Madhopur, Rajasthan. The notice emphasized that this was an “isolated incident” and that the integrity of the examination process at any other centres had not been compromised.
The NEET results were declared on 4 June 2024. The controversy restarted, due to a significant increase in the number of top rankers. Many students received scores deemed mathematically impossible, leading to complaints. The NTA clarified that these scores were due to grace marks awarded to compensate loss of time during the NEET exam in case of certain candidates. Also, a physics mcq was awarded two correct answers which increased the number of high scorers.
This led to nation-wide protests demanding the cancellation of the exam and a re-examination.
The various protests and opinions of multiple stake holders widely publicised in media added to the confusion and chaos. The students and parents got divided into two poles, those demanding RENEET and those advocating NO RENEET. Several petitions were filed in the High Courts of various states and the Supreme Court of India.
All these cases were taken up by the Hon Supreme court and the hearing on different pleas was done in the Supreme court.
On 23 July, the Supreme Court of India acknowledged that at least 155 students directly benefited from the paper leak but ruled that there were no indications of an overall systemic failure, barring a few circumstances. The Court denied any large-scale leak of the NEET (UG) 2024 paper, upheld the examination and ruled that there would be no re-examination, as there were no credible reports of widespread issues. This finally closed the curtain on the whole episode.
But considering the questions raised, The Government of India set up a seven member high-level committee headed by former ISRO chairman K Radhakrishnan to propose measures that would improve exam security, streamline processes and address the persistent issues that have plagued NEET and similar exams. This committee has submitted its recommendations and the further action by the Government is awaited.
The take home message of this whole episode is, the NEET exam is going to be a high cutoff affair even in future, because the reason of high scores was reduced syllabus, constantly rising number of aspirants, increased trend of giving multiple attempts to get good score in NEET and streamlined fixed curriculum of the exam.
Instead of indulging in speculations and social media trials, we all should understand this trend and brace ourselves accordingly. The recommendations of K Radhakrishnan committee are in most likelihood going to be implemented, and our future course of action should be based on the vision of understanding its implications.
Dr. Sheetal Shrigiri
MBBS, DGO (Obs & Gyn)
Director, APMA (Abhang Prabhu Medical Academy) Pune