The Supreme Court made a significant decision on Friday regarding the NEET-UG 2024 examination, opting not to defer the counseling process set to begin on July 6.
This decision followed a petition seeking the exam’s cancellation due to alleged irregularities during its administration on May 5. Justices Vikram Nath and SVN Bhatti, sitting on a vacation bench, acknowledged the complexity of the issue and issued notices to the National Testing Agency (NTA), the Centre, and other concerned parties.
The court also scheduled a comprehensive hearing for July 8, alongside other pending cases highlighting irregularities in the conduct of the NEET-UG exam. During the proceedings, counsel for the petitioners requested a brief pause in the counselling process until July 8, citing the pending hearing.
They clarified that they weren’t seeking a complete stay on counselling but rather a temporary halt to align with the court’s upcoming session.
Responding to this request, the bench emphasized that counselling, a pivotal aspect of the examination process, was slated to commence on July 6 and should proceed accordingly.
The court directed the NTA, the Centre, and other respondents to submit their responses to the petition within two weeks, underscoring the urgency and complexity of the matter.
Additionally, the court addressed other related issues, including an application seeking specific directives to the NTA and concerns raised about a re-test scheduled for June 23. The court instructed the NTA to provide a response to these matters and scheduled further hearings for July 8 to delve deeper into these issues.
Previously, on June 13, the Centre informed the apex court about the cancellation of grace marks awarded to 1,563 NEET-UG 2024 candidates, offering them an option for a re-test on June 23. This decision sparked further discussions during Friday’s hearing, with the court noting the potential stress on candidates due to the re-test process.
Amidst these proceedings, the court also handled separate petitions, including one requesting accommodation for a candidate with a medical condition to participate in the re-test. The petitioner had previously approached the Telangana High Court on this matter, and the court directed the NTA to respond promptly to the petitioner’s representation.
The NEET-UG examination, conducted by the NTA, remains crucial for admissions into MBBS, BDS, AYUSH, and other allied courses across India’s government and private institutions.
The controversy surrounding the exam has prompted widespread protests and political debates, fueled by allegations of irregularities and concerns over fairness in the examination process.