The National Testing Agency, NTA, on Thursday, informed the Supreme Court that the agency has established a committee to re-evaluate the results of more than 1,563 candidates who have appeared for NEET UG 2024 and were awarded "grace marks". These marks were intended to compensate for the time lost during the examination.
Further, NTA has decided to cancel the scorecards of these candidates. These students will now be given an option to take a re-test. The agency has scheduled the re-examination for June 23 and has said that it will announce the results before June 30.
Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan assured students that both the government and the National Testing Agency are committed to ensuring justice for all candidates who took the NEET UG examination, in light of the Supreme Court's recent hearing.
"I want to assure the students and their parents that the Government of India and NTA are committed to providing justice to them. 24 lakh students have successfully taken the NEET examination. There is no paper leak, no proof has been found yet. A court-recommended model was adopted for around 1560 students and a panel of academicians has been formed for the same...We will accept the verdict of the Court...," Dharmendra Pradhan was quoted by ANI as saying.
Dharmendra Pradhan further added that there is no corruption in connection with the NEET examination. He further said that the government is ready to give answers to the court.
The May 5 exam, held by NTA at 4,750 centres for about 24 lakh students has faced several accusations of question paper leaks and giving unjustified grace marks to several candidates. These claims have led to protests and legal cases in seven high courts and the Supreme Court.
Further, this year, 67 students secured a perfect 720 score, which has also fuelled suspicions of cheating.
