NTA Chief Announces Potential NEET 2024 Result Revision for 1,600 Candidates; Committee Established

Sanjay Murthy, Secretary of the Department of Higher Education, Ministry of Education, announced that an expert committee has been formed to review the grace marks awarded by the National Testing Agency (NTA) in the NEET 2024 results. Speaking at a press conference today, Murthy highlighted that around 1,600 NEET aspirants were affected by these irregularities.

Results Revision for NEET 2024

“If needed, results will be revised for 1,600 candidates based on the committee's recommendations,” Murthy informed reporters. The NEET UG 2024 exam, conducted on May 5, saw over 24 lakh candidates appearing at 4,750 centres in 571 cities. Out of these, only 1,600 students from six exam centres were affected.

Expert Committee's Role

The committee, led by a former UPSC chairperson, will specifically revisit the Bahadurgarh centre in Haryana, one of the six impacted centres. According to the NTA chairman, the compensatory marks were awarded based on the Supreme Court order dated June 13, 2018.

NEET 2024 Irregularities: Detailed Account

Reports of a NEET UG paper leak emerged before the NTA conducted the exam on May 5. Despite these allegations, the NTA proceeded with the exam as scheduled. Remarkably, the NEET results 2024 were announced 10 days earlier than expected.

Re-Examination at Rajasthan Centre

At the Girls Higher Secondary Model School in Mantown, Sawai Madhopur, Rajasthan, where incorrect question papers were distributed, the NTA conducted a re-exam for 120 candidates.

High Scores Raise Suspicions

The NEET UG 2024 results revealed an unprecedented 67 students scoring a perfect 720/720, and 44 candidates scoring between 715 and 720. Notably, at a single examination centre in Haryana, 8 students scored above 718 marks, with 6 achieving 720/720, which raised concerns about result manipulation, according to the All India Students Union (AISU).

Investigation and Arrests

The Bihar police arrested 13 individuals in connection with the paper leak. The Economic Offences Unit (EOU) identified Sanjiv Singh as the mastermind behind the leak, based on tips from the BPSC TRE paper leak investigation. However, the NTA has not released an official statement regarding these arrests. On May 6, the NTA dismissed the paper leak allegations in a public statement.

Social Media Outcry and Response

Following widespread social media demands for clarification on scores of 718 and 719, the NTA explained that grace marks were given due to lost time during the exam. Tragically, nearly 11 NEET aspirants have died by suicide this year.

Calls for Further Investigation

The All India Students Union (AISU) recently lodged a complaint with the Lokpal of India, citing rampant corruption and malpractice. Additionally, junior doctors from the Indian Medical Association (IMA) have called for a CBI investigation into the paper leak allegations and other irregularities.

Conclusion

The NEET 2024 results controversy underscores the need for transparency and accountability in competitive exams. The NTA's proactive steps, including forming an expert committee, aim to address these concerns and ensure fairness for all candidates.