No Re-Test for NEET-UG 2024, SC Says “can’t conclude that the integrity of exam affected”| CliqExplainer

The Supreme Court announced on Tuesday that there will be no re-test for the 2024 NEET-UG exam, despite two localized leaks of the question paper. The court acknowledged the leaks but stated there is no evidence of a “systemic breach” or that the overall integrity of the exam was compromised.
The top court recognized the seriousness of the leaks but emphasized that ordering a re-test for the 23.33 lakh medical aspirants would have significant repercussions. These include disruptions to the admission schedule, negative impacts on students’ education, and potential future shortages of medical professionals. Additionally, the court highlighted the disadvantage such an order would pose to marginalized students.
The decision was influenced by an earlier ruling that suggested a re-test should be a last resort due to the limited time between the leak and the exam. The court noted that the leaked questions may not have had a widespread impact if students saw them only on the morning of the exam.
The Chief Justice referred to the clear fact that the leaks occurred at two centers in Hazaribagh, Jharkhand, and Patna, Bihar. The CBI, investigating a nationwide racket, identified at least 155 students who appeared to have benefited from the leaks. The court had considered the possibility of removing these students from the admission process.
The controversy arose after the NEET-UG results were declared, with concerns over the unusually high number of perfect scores and the award of ‘grace marks’ to 1,563 students. A re-test for these students was conducted, but many did not attend, and those who did scored lower, raising further questions about the integrity of the exam.