NEET UG 2024 exam, a crucial gateway for admission to medical courses in India, has been mired in controversy following allegations of a massive paper leak. Reports indicate an unprecedented level of fraud, with 67 students securing the first rank and 12 rank-one holders emerging from a single examination center.
The NEET UG exam, conducted by the National Testing Agency (NTA) on May 5, 2024, across various centers in India, including Bihar, was soon tainted by allegations of malpractice. Following the examination, reports of a paper leak surfaced, prompting swift action by law enforcement.
The Patna police have arrested 13 individuals in connection with the leak, all of whom now face FIRs. Despite the mounting evidence, the NTA has refused to acknowledge the breach.
Initially, the NTA had slated the release of the exam results for June 14. However, in a surprising move, the results were published on June 4, coinciding with the day of the national election results. This timing has led to speculation among candidates that the NTA hoped the focus on election outcomes would overshadow discussions about the alleged fraud.
In response to the controversy, the NTA issued a statement addressing the concerns raised by candidates. The agency acknowledged receiving several representations and court cases from NEET UG 2024 candidates regarding the loss of examination time on May 5.
The NTA stated that these cases were reviewed and that the normalization formula, as devised and adopted by the Hon’ble Apex Court in its judgment dated June 13, 2018, was implemented to mitigate the impact on affected candidates.
This normalization process included compensating candidates with grace marks, potentially resulting in scores as high as 718 or 719. The scandal has raised serious questions about the integrity of the NEET UG examination process and has left many candidates and their families seeking answers.
