Delhi: The Supreme Court, on Monday, took note of the recent controversy surrounding the NEET-UG 2024 medical entrance exam and raised concerns over the sanctity of the test.
The apex court observed that a re-test may be necessary if the sanctity of the exam is “lost”. Seeking information from both the National Testing Agency (NTA) and the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI), the court asked for details about the timing of the question paper leak and the duration between the leak and the actual test. It also asked for information about the number of wrongdoers identified so far and the methodology used to identify them.
The court emphasized that it is important to ascertain the extent of the question paper leak and its impact on students across geographical boundaries before making a decision on ordering a re-test. It also directed the CBI to submit a report on the status of its probe into allegations of malpractices in the exam.
The bench, headed by Chief Justice D Y Chandrachud, also sought information from NTA about steps taken to identify and segregate those who benefitted from the fraud. Expressing concerns about maintaining the integrity of the exam process, the court stated that a re-test may be necessary if it is not possible to separate those who cheated from those who did not. The next hearing on this matter is scheduled for July 11.
