NEET-UG 2024 results: SC seeks response for conducting exam again; refuses to stay counselling process

The petitioners had sought an investigation into the NEET question paper leak which had resulted in candidates from particular centres securing full marks

The Supreme Court is hearing a plea which sought the NTA to reconduct the NEET-UG 2024 exams on the grounds of alleged question paper leak and other malpractices. File | Photo Credit: Getty Images

A Vacation Bench of the Supreme Court on Tuesday sought a response from the National Testing Agency (NTA) in a petition alleging question paper leaks in the National Eligibility cum Entrance Test (NEET)-2024.

The court, however, orally declined to stay counselling process though.

The Bench of Justices Vikram Nath and Ahsanuddin Amanullah scheduled the hearing of the case on July 8, after the reopening of the court post summer vacations.

Justice Amanullah said the court needed answers from the National Testing Agency as the allegations directly impact the “sanctity” of the NEET exams.

The counsel for 10 student-petitioners, advocate Mathews J. Nedumpara, sought a stay of the counselling process.

“Let the counselling start, we are not stopping the counselling,” Justice Nath responded.

Mr. Nedumpara, who represented Shivangi Mishra and nine other students, had sought an investigation into the NEET question paper leak which had resulted in candidates from particular centres securing full marks, resulting in the denial of admission to meritorious students.

“Twenty-four lakh students participated in the NEET examination and the large scale fraud which the NEET exam has proven to be is a matter concerning their very career. It is also a matter of great public interest,” Mr. Nedumpara had written to the Supreme Court Registry last week for an early listing of the case.

Students and the Opposition had alleged widespread irregularities in the conduct of the exam.

“The principal release sought for is the cancellation of the entire examination and to conduct a fresh one. The interim relief sought is to stay the declaration of the results. However, before the case could be listed, the exam results were declared… In 2023, the number of students who scored 650 and above out of 720 was a mere 7,000. This year, it was 35,000. The number of students who scored 720/720 also shot up by several times,” Mr. Nedumpara alleged.