NEET paper Leak Case Supreme Court Hearing

The Supreme Court has ruled against conducting a retest for the NEET-UG 2024, rejecting petitions for a retest and the cancellation of the exam held on May 5. The Court found no systemic issues with the test outside Hazaribagh and Patna and advised the NTA to maintain consistency in its decisions. It ordered the establishment of a committee to develop standard operating procedures (SOPs) for technological improvements, with a report due to the Centre by September 30. The Ministry of Education must then provide feedback on the committee's recommendations within two weeks.

During the July 23 hearing, Chief Justice DY Chandrachud highlighted the significant impact a retest would have on over 24 lakh students and the admission schedule, which is set to begin on August 14. Meanwhile, the CBI has initiated its investigation into alleged irregularities in the NEET-UG 2024 exam, presenting its first chargesheet on August 1 and arresting 40 suspects, including 15 detained by the Bihar Police.

NEET paper Leak Case

TODAY'S UPDATES:

NEET has faced scrutiny due to allegations of discrepancies and irregularities, including claims of exam paper leaks and inconsistent administration. In this context, the Supreme Court's involvement sought to clarify the integrity of the examination process while addressing concerns raised by various stakeholders.

Key Reactions from Political Leaders

BJP's Criticism of Rahul Gandhi

In the wake of the Supreme Court's decision, the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) criticized Rahul Gandhi, the Leader of Opposition, for his repeated criticism of the government regarding the NEET exam. Amit Malviya, the BJP's National Information & Technology Department head, called for an apology from Gandhi, accusing him of spreading misinformation.

Congress MPs Weigh In

Shashi Tharoor's Concerns
Congress MP Shashi Tharoor expressed concerns over the examination system, citing anomalies such as a Gujarat topper who struggled academically but excelled in NEET. Tharoor also highlighted issues faced by students from Kerala, who were assigned examination centers in Andhra Pradesh and Telangana. He urged for a comprehensive review and overhaul of the NEET examination system.
Rajiv Shukla's Call for Accountability
Congress MP Rajiv Shukla emphasized that the Supreme Court's ruling confirmed discrepancies within the examination process, holding the government accountable. Shukla's comments reflect a call for transparency and responsibility from the authorities involved.
Pappu Yadav's Demand for Cancellation
Pappu Yadav, a political leader, has called for the cancellation of the NEET-UG exam, arguing that an inquiry should be conducted and those responsible for any irregularities should face legal consequences. He advocates for a new policy to prevent future exam paper leaks.

Government and Institutional Responses

Dharmendra Pradhan on Government Commitment

Union Minister Dharmendra Pradhan affirmed the government's commitment to a tamper-free, transparent, and error-free examination system. He pledged to implement the recommendations of a high-level committee of experts once they are submitted, aiming to uphold the integrity of the examination process.

Solicitor General Tushar Mehta's Assurance

Solicitor General Tushar Mehta assured the Supreme Court that all its directions concerning the NEET-UG exam would be adhered to. He emphasized the importance of enhancing security and maintaining the integrity of the examination system.

Supreme Court's Directions and Observations

Security Enhancements

The Supreme Court emphasized the need for enhanced security measures at examination centers. It mandated the implementation of CCTV monitoring and other technological improvements to safeguard the examination process. The court also directed the formation of a committee tasked with submitting a report by September 30, 2024.

Key Points:

Requirement for CCTV monitoring at all exam centers.

Formation of a committee to propose measures for improving examination security.

Comprehensive Grievance Redressal

The committee's responsibilities include establishing a comprehensive grievance redressal mechanism and ensuring data protection protocols are in place. This is aimed at safeguarding sensitive information and preventing potential leaks in the future.

Key Points:

Development of grievance redressal mechanisms.

Implementation of data protection measures to secure examination integrity.

Accountability and Future Measures

The Supreme Court underlined the importance of establishing standard operating procedures (SOPs) for technological advancements in the examination system. This includes conducting cybersecurity audits and enhancing identity verification processes.

Key Points:

Need for SOPs to identify cybersecurity vulnerabilities.

Emphasis on training staff and management for mental wellness initiatives for students.

PREVIOUS HEARING UPDATES:

The Supreme Court’s recent rulings and observations on the NEET-UG 2024 examination process have had significant implications for students, the National Testing Agency (NTA), and the broader educational framework.

Supreme Court’s Verdict on NEET-UG 2024

CJI’s Remarks on NTA’s Handling of the Exam

The Chief Justice of India (CJI) expressed concerns about the National Testing Agency (NTA) and its handling of the NEET-UG 2024 examination. According to the CJI, the NTA had shown a lack of consistency, which adversely affected the examination process. Specific issues cited included:

Inconsistent Decision-Making: The NTA’s decisions regarding compensatory and grace marks led to discrepancies in scores.
Security Lapses: Problems such as the rear door being kept open in the strong room were highlighted.
Rectification Needed: The CJI stressed that these errors need immediate rectification by the Union of India to prevent future occurrences.

Supreme Court’s Decision on Re-Test: Rejection of Re-Test Pleas

On July 23, the Supreme Court dismissed petitions calling for the cancellation and re-conduct of the NEET-UG 2024 exam. Key points from the ruling include:

Lack of Evidence: The court found no substantial evidence of systemic issues affecting the results.
Impact on Academic Schedules: A re-test was deemed impractical due to the potential disruption to the academic schedules of millions of students.
Expert Committee: The Union has established a seven-member expert committee to improve the NEET UG examination process and address future concerns.

NEET-UG 2024 Counselling Process

Medical Counselling Committee’s Role

The Medical Counselling Committee (MCC) will oversee counselling for 15% of All India Quota (AIQ) seats for MBBS, BDS, and BSc Nursing in 2024. The remaining 85% of state quota seats will be managed by state medical counselling organizations.

Start Date for Counselling

The counselling process is set to begin on August 14, 2024. Candidates are advised to regularly check the MCC's official website, mcc.nic.in, for updates and schedules.

Factors Contributing to Question Paper Leaks

Investigations have pinpointed several major factors contributing to the NEET-UG 2024 paper leaks:

Coaching Centres: Involvement in the leaks.
Exam Centre Staff: Their role in facilitating leaks.
Last-Minute Changes: Alterations at exam centres contributing to security breaches.

The NTA is urged to revamp its examination processes, enhance security at exam centres, and improve monitoring to prevent future incidents.

Potential Solutions: Blockchain Technology

Recent investigations suggest that blockchain technology could be instrumental in preventing question paper leaks. Benefits include:

Enhanced Traceability: Blockchain can help trace the source of breaches more accurately.
Increased Transparency: The technology offers a more transparent examination process.

Government’s Stance on NEET Results

IIT-Madras Analysis

The government, in response to concerns about the NEET-UG 2024 results, cited an extensive analysis by IIT-Madras. Key findings include:

No Abnormalities Detected: The analysis revealed no mass malpractice or irregularities in the results.
No Local Advantage: No evidence that local candidates had an unfair advantage.

The government reassured that despite the paper leaks, the majority of students should not be subjected to a re-test.

Mental Health Support Initiatives: Counselling Programmes

The CJI emphasized the importance of mental health support for students and staff involved in the examination process. Recommendations include:

Mental Health Programs: Development of support systems for students and staff.
Training for NTA Members: Ensuring that exam integrity is maintained through proper training.

Expert Committee’s Mandate: Report Submission and Recommendations

The expert committee appointed by the government is tasked with submitting its findings by September 30, 2024. The committee will:

Develop a Grievance Redressal Process: Address complaints and issues.
Propose Data Protection Measures: Enhance security to prevent leaks.
Evaluate Cybersecurity: Address potential vulnerabilities.

Supreme Court’s Directives for NTA: Avoiding Inconsistencies

The Supreme Court instructed the NTA to avoid the inconsistencies seen in the NEET-UG 2024 exam and to address all identified errors. The focus is on:

Corrective Actions: Ensuring all issues are rectified within the year.
Robust Oversight: Developing measures to deter and detect malpractice.

IIT Delhi’s Report on Question 19: Correct Answer Confirmation

IIT Delhi’s committee confirmed that option 4 of Question 19 was correct. This validation was based on the stability of radioactive atoms, as clarified by Prof. Banerjee.

CBI’s Progress and Findings

Arrests and Charges: The CBI has arrested 40 individuals and filed its first chargesheet against 13 people.
Locations of Leak: Investigations revealed that leaks occurred in multiple locations, including Patna and Hazaribagh.

Read: NEET Paper Leak Case- CBI Files First Chargesheet, names 13 people as accused

CJI’s Queries

The CJI has questioned the CBI about the specifics of the paper leak, including its timing and scope. The investigation is ongoing, and the full extent of the leaks is yet to be determined.

With inputs from agencies

Image Source: Multiple agencies