Only 2 sets of question papers administered for NEET: CBSE

Tells HC it didn’t translate single paper into other languages to prevent leaks

The Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE) has informed the Madras High Court Bench here that it had administered only two different sets of question papers — one common paper in English and Hindi and another translated in eight vernacular languages — with equal level of difficulty for the National-Eligibility-cum-Entrance Test (NEET) held on May 7 for admission to undergraduate medical courses.

Explaining the reasons for not translating a single question paper into all languages, the Board said that such an exercise was avoided to prevent leakage. It pointed out that at least 32 subject experts would have to be involved in the translation work, thereby increasing the chances of leakage. “The exposure of the question paper to more experts and also during printing could have affected its sanctity,” the CBSE contended.

In a counter affidavit filed in response to a batch of writ petitions from a group of students who appeared for NEET this year, CBSE Chennai Regional Officer Mahesh D. Dharmadhikari said: “It is pertinent to mention here that the scheme of NEET examination involves conduct of a single examination for admissions across the country and not administering a single question paper to all the candidates, as has been presumed and is being argued in this case.”

Pointing out that 9,13,033 (80.16%) and 1,20,663 (10.59%) students took up NEET this year in English and Hindi respectively, the officer noted that only 1,05,194 (9.25%) students took the test in vernacular languages including Telugu (1,766-0.15%), Assamese (3,810-0.33%), Gujarati (47,853 - 4.2%), Marathi (978 -0.08%), Tamil (15,206- 1.33%), Bengali (34,417- 3.02%), Kannada (712- 0.06%) and Odia (0.03%).

Denies difficulty claims

Denying the petitioners’ claim that the question paper in Tamil was easy when compared to the one in English, Mr. Dharmadhikari said a similar case had been filed in the Gujarat High Court with a contrary claim. “Therefore, it is only the subject experts who can decide the difficulty level of the two sets of question papers and not the candidates who appeared for the examination,” he contended.

Even if the common question paper prepared in eight vernacular languages had been leaked, a re-test would have had to be conducted only for 9.25% of the candidates and the remaining 90.75% need not have undergone the ordeal, he added.

Urging the court to vacate the interim order it passed on May 24 restraining the CBSE from declaring the results of NEET till June 12, the Regional Officer said the delay in declaring the results would consequently delay admissions.

In a counter affidavit filed on behalf of the State government, Health Secretary J. Radhakrishnan said Tamil Nadu had all along opposed the conduct of NEET