Supreme Court on NEET exam controversy: ‘Even 0.001% negligence must be addressed’

PTC News Desk: Regarding the arguments regarding the purported paper leaks and irregularities in the NEET-UG 2024 exam, the Supreme Court on Monday sent a notice and requested a response from the Center and the National Testing Agency (NTA).

“Even if there is 0.001% negligence on the part of anyone, it should be thoroughly dealt with,” the bench stated during the hearing. “An individual who has engaged in systemic fraud becoming a doctor would be even more detrimental to society,” the bench, which also included Justice Vikram Nath and SVN Bhatti, continued.

Aspirants had studied for the entrance exam, and the Supreme Court noted that “we cannot forget their labour.” The bench instructed the NTA and the Center to correct the errors rather than viewing the petitions brought against the NEET-UG as “adversarial litigation”.

“You have to conduct the examination in a fair manner as the conducting agency. If something goes wrong, acknowledge it and state that this is the course of action we will pursue. The bench told the NTA, “At least that gives you confidence in your performance.”

In addition, the Supreme Court stated that it anticipates “timely action” from the testing company. The matter’s next hearing is scheduled for July 8.

One of the petitioners’ attorneys was reprimanded by the Supreme Court last week for claiming that the NEET-UG 2024 exam controversy was causing students at coaching centers in Kota, Rajasthan, to commit suicide. The petitioners requesting a CBI investigation into the purported irregularities in the exam were told not to make such emotional arguments by the court, which disregarded their allegations.

Additionally, the Supreme Court reaffirmed that NEET counseling will not continue.

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