NEET UG 2024 SC Hearing

After four days of hearings on NEET-UG 2024 irregularities, the Supreme Court has decided against a retest. The Court noted that a new exam would negatively impact over 24 lakh students and disrupt the admissions schedule.

It also endorsed IIT Delhi's assessment that Physics question 19 had a correct answer as option 4, not option 2, which may affect around 4.22 lakh students. The NTA previously retested 1,563 students, with 861 participating. The Chief Justice advised petitioners with specific issues to seek resolution in high courts.

neet ug 2024

Top updates from today

NTA to Decide About Retest Marks Held for 1563 Students: On June 23, the National Testing Agency (NTA) conducted a retest for 1,563 candidates. These students were given the opportunity to retake their exams to address issues that had previously arisen. The NTA is now tasked with determining how the marks from this retest will be handled and integrated into the final evaluation process.
Union's 7-Member Committee Must Abide by Directions Issued by SC: The Supreme Court of India has mandated that the seven-member expert committee formed by the union must comply with any further directions issued by the Court. This requirement aims to ensure that the procedures for conducting the medical entrance exams are thoroughly reviewed and strengthened. The goal is to prevent the recurrence of the issues that prompted the retest. The Chief Justice of India (CJI) has also stated that the transfer pleas submitted by the NTA have been resolved and disposed of.
Court Accepts IIT Delhi Answer On Physics Q19 Controversy: The Chief Justice of India (CJI) has confirmed that, according to the IIT Delhi report, only options 2 and 4 of the Physics Question 19 are mutually exclusive and cannot coexist. As a result, option 4 is to be considered the correct answer for this question.
Retest Will Disrupt Admission Schedule, Says CJI: The Supreme Court has highlighted that ordering a new examination would have severe repercussions for the over 24 lakh students who took the test. The CJI pointed out that such a decision would disrupt the admission schedule and have cascading effects on the medical course timelines.
No Retest: After four days of hearing arguments, the Chief Justice of India (CJI) concluded that canceling the exam was not justified. This decision was based on the established legal principles upheld by the court and the materials available on record.
Absence of Material to Conclude That There Was a Systemic Breach on The Sanctity of Exam, Says CJI: The CJI noted that there was insufficient material on record to determine that a systemic breach of the exam's integrity had occurred. Without evidence of such a breach, the decision to cancel the exam could not be supported.
Judgment Has Been Reserved, Says CJI: The CJI announced that the judgment has been reserved. He emphasized the necessity of recording the court’s conclusions at this stage due to the urgent need to provide certainty and closure. This dispute impacts the careers of over 2 million individuals, making a prompt resolution essential.
CJI Dictates Judgment: The court has been informed that the 50th percentile reflects the cutoff percentage. The petitioner had argued that the exam leak was systemic and, combined with structural deficiencies, the only viable solution was to conduct a re-test. The CJI’s observations on this matter were reported by Bar and Bench.
Advocate Hedge's Statement on Leak Timing: Advocate Hedge claims that a video featuring one of the accused suggests the exam papers were leaked before being distributed. He emphasizes the need for a sufficient timeline for a leak to occur, indicating that the leak could not have happened in a short timeframe.
Concerns Raised by Adv Hooda on Exam Integrity: Advocate Hooda raises questions about the integrity of the entire examination process. He highlights discrepancies in the identification process, questioning why Aadhar cards were not required for center changes. He asserts that the compromised integrity necessitates a reevaluation of the exam process.
Chief Justice's Observations on Leak Scope: The Chief Justice, while acknowledging ongoing CBI investigations into the matter, expresses uncertainty regarding the extent of the leak. He notes that it is unclear whether the leak is limited to specific exam centers like Hazaribagh and Patna, or if it has broader implications affecting the exam's integrity.
Adv Hooda's Doubts on CBI Investigation: Advocate Hooda casts doubt on the CBI's current investigation status, citing the agency's use of the term 'so far'. He suggests that the investigation may not have thoroughly explored beyond Patna and Hazaribagh. Hooda underscores the ongoing nature of the investigation and raises hypothetical scenarios that could further reveal the extent of the leak.
Advocate Hooda Voices Concerns Over Exam Integrity: Advocate Hooda expressed grave concerns regarding the integrity of the examination process, emphasizing that the world is observing the situation closely. He highlighted that the leakage of the exam paper and the inability to recover mobile devices have compromised the sanctity of the exam.

"The sanctity of the exam is finished, and mere figures are being thrown at this court," Hooda remarked. He further argued that if even 1,000 candidates benefited from the leak, a retest would be necessary.

"Integrity has gone. If NEET is a patient, it suffers from multi-organ failure, and the patient has to go," he concluded.

CJI Comments on IIT Delhi's Efficiency: During the NEET-UG 2024 Supreme Court hearing, the Chief Justice of India (CJI) noted the promptness of IIT Delhi in providing their opinion.

Despite being given a deadline until noon, IIT Delhi submitted their response well before the stipulated time.

"Though we gave the IIT Delhi director time until noon, we had the answer on the table before 10 am. It would have taken probably 10 seconds to answer the question," the CJI remarked during the proceedings.

We Will Prioritize Correct Answers Over Textbook Editions, Says Chief Justice of India

CJI: When did the incorrect answer in the old textbook persist until?

SG: Until 2021.

CJI: I believe we should not rely on editions. We will prioritize the correct answer. For instance, if the latest NCERT edition contains an incorrect answer, but the student has improvised, prepared well, and provided the correct answer, we will consider that.

CJI Addresses Controversial Physics Question:

SG: In Case of Dispute, Both Marks Are to Be Counted

CJI: How Is That Possible? If You Look at the Two Answers, Each of Them Excludes the Other

SG: It’s a Trick Question, Not an Ambiguous Question I’ll Say

CJI: See Option 2 Says – Both Statements 1 and 2 Are Correct, While Option 4 Says Statement 1 Is Correct but Statement 2 Is Incorrect, So Both Cannot Co-Exist Together

What If We Say Those Who Chose Option 2 Do Not Get Negative Marks, Questions CJI: Addressing the controversial Physics question 19, the CJI referred to the IIT report and proposed a possible solution. “If we decide not to invalidate the entire exam, we could acknowledge option 4 as the correct answer while ensuring that those who chose option 2 do not receive negative marks,” the CJI suggested. He added that there is a need to discuss this matter with the director of the National Testing Agency (NTA).
SG Refers to Decision of Court in Tanvi Sarwal v. CBSE: Previously, the Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE) managed the medical entrance examination before the National Testing Agency (NTA) took over. This exam was formerly known as the All India Pre-Medical Entrance Test (AIPMT). In 2015, the Supreme Court annulled the AIPMT for approximately 600,000 students after discovering that 44 candidates had used unfair practices.
Will NEET Be Cancelled? How Come There Were 67 Toppers This Time?: The number of candidates appearing for the National Eligibility cum Entrance Test (NEET) Undergraduate (UG) has seen a substantial increase, growing from 20,38,596 in 2023 to 23,33,297 in 2024. This year, 67 candidates achieved a perfect score of 720 out of 720, securing the All India Rank 1. In comparison, there were two toppers in 2023 and one in 2022. The NTA received 13,373 challenges regarding a provisional answer key for a Physics question. Notably, 44 of the 67 top scorers answered this Physics question incorrectly but received “grace marks” due to an error in an older version of the NCERT Class 12 textbook. Experts decided that both the old and new textbook options should be considered correct for this question. Consequently, 44 of the 67 candidates attained a perfect score due to this revision, and six candidates received compensatory marks for lost time during the exam.
Over 4 Lakh Students to Get Affected, SG Says:

CJI: Yesterday we all referred to IIT with your consent, now let us leave it at that.

SG: But those who followed the NCERT book option should not suffer.

Justice Mishra: We are not on rote learning. We are also on fundamentals, you see.

SG: Then the matter ends here. 422,000 students will be affected by this.

Paper Leak Took Place at 4 Locations, 155 Candidates Benefited, Says SG: During the hearing, the Solicitor General (SG) stated that there was no evidence indicating that the solved papers were randomly circulated, except at the four locations mentioned earlier. Approximately 155 candidates benefited from the leaked paper.
Questions Mugged Up in Two Hours, Says SG The SG informed the court that the accused had only two hours to memorize the questions, which is evident from the results they achieved.
Paper Leak on Telegram Manipulated to Show It Happened Before May 5:

CJI: What about the Telegram incident?

SG: Please observe how digital media can be utilized to cause havoc in the country.

CJI: Okay, the account was created on May 6.

SG: It was uploaded on May 7 and manipulated to appear as if it was posted before May 5.

Have to Wrap Up Hearing Today, CJI Tells SG: The Chief Justice of India (CJI) emphasized the need to conclude the hearing promptly, stating that students cannot be left in uncertainty. If a retest is required, students must be informed so they can begin their preparation. The Solicitor General assured the court that he would only need a few more minutes, as reported by the Indian Express.
Question Paper Stored in Seven Layers:

NTA Statement: The examination process involved two doors: the front door, which was locked in the presence of everyone, and a rear door, which was intentionally left open. At 7:53 AM, the front door was secured and the key was handed over to the center superintendent. Subsequently, at 8:02 AM, an individual entered through the rear door and exited at 9:23 AM.

CJI Inquiry: The Chief Justice inquired about the duration the individual spent inside. It was confirmed that they were inside for approximately one and a half hours.

NTA Confirmation: The exam paper was protected by being stored in seven distinct layers.

'Leak Confirmed,' Says CJI: The Chief Justice of India (CJI) confirmed the existence of a leak, stating, "We now know that a leak did occur, originating in Hazaribagh and subsequently transmitted to Patna."
Conspiracy Planned Months in Advance to Identify a Vulnerable Centre:

Official Statement: The Centre Superintendent and City Coordinator of Hazaribagh Oasis School have been arrested.

CJI Inquiry: The CJI questioned whether these individuals were involved in the conspiracy.

SG Response: The Solicitor General (SG) confirmed their involvement, noting that an additional middleman acted as a liaison between the gang and the students. The conspiracy had been planned months prior to identify a vulnerable centre willing to facilitate access.

No Evidence of a Broader Conspiracy in Jharkhand and Bihar: According to the National Testing Agency (NTA), there is no evidence suggesting that the conspiracy extended beyond Hazaribagh and Patna into other parts of Jharkhand and Bihar.
Distribution of Questions to 8 Solvers at Oasis School Exam Centre: An officer reported that eight solvers were each given 25 questions during the exam at Oasis School. These solvers did not carry mobile phones to prevent the distribution of the exam paper to individuals who had not paid.
Human Error Recorded in Only 0.3% of Exam Centres: The Solicitor General informed the bench that human error was found in only 0.3% of the exam centres.
NTA Exam Process Discussion:

Canara Bank Question Papers: Over 3,000 students received Canara Bank question papers, with 59 candidates scoring over 577 marks.

Answer Key Upload: The answer key for the Canara Bank question paper was made available on the NTA website.

Morning of the Exam: On exam day, the NTA informs the City Coordinator which question paper to distribute, and this message is relayed to the Centre Coordinator.

City Change Alone Does Not Indicate Cross-Country Manipulation: The SG explained to the court that a simple change of city does not imply nationwide manipulation. Out of 14,000 students who changed their exam city, the success rate was only 6.46%.
Students Can Choose Exam City, Not Specific Centre:

CJI Query: The CJI asked if students needed to provide documentation or reasons for changing their exam centre.

SG Response: The SG clarified that students can select their exam city, but not a specific centre.

Low Success Rate of Retest for 1,563 Students: A retest was conducted for 1,563 candidates on June 23, with 813 participating. The regular NEET UG results were released on June 4, with revised results on June 30. The success rate for those who retested was only 1.63%.
Canara Bank Question Paper Incorrectly Given at 12 Centres: The Canara Bank question paper was incorrectly distributed at 12 centres. Four of these centres replaced the paper, while the remaining centres used it as the difficulty level matched that of the SBI question papers.
Explanation for Low Retest Participation: The SG explained that only 816 out of 1,563 candidates appeared for the retest. Some high-achieving students may have completed their papers and were comfortable with the possibility of grace marks being withdrawn. The SG noted that they could not compel these students to retest if they were unwilling to take the risk.
High Risk of Mass Copying in Belgavi: A student moved their exam to a Belgavi centre due to concerns about potential mass copying. The success rate at this centre was reported as 2.5%.
No Admissions from Godhra: The SG reported that no admissions were granted from Godhra. The success rate in Sikr was 19.22% this year, compared to 19.19% last year and 24% in 2022.
Small Number of City Change Requests: Out of 24 lakh exam applicants, only 14,000 requested a change in exam city. The SG noted that this is a small number and that an investigation showed no significant wrongdoing. Students requesting city changes were spread across 4,020 centres, indicating that any issues would likely be localized rather than widespread.
Reopening of Registration Window and Increased Enrollment: The SG discussed the reopening of the registration window for NEET UG 2024, stating that it was in response to requests from students who missed the initial registration. Increased enrollment makes competition tougher but does not suggest any wrongdoing.
CBI Investigation Update: The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) has detained 63 individuals, including 18 arrests, with four being AIIMS Patna students alleged to be exam "solvers." The CBI indicated that the scale of malpractice may be smaller than initially feared, affecting fewer than 150 students, with evidence of stolen question papers limited to a single centre.
CJI Questions Canara Bank Paper Distribution: Chief Justice of India (CJI) D.Y. Chandrachud raised concerns about the lower success rate of candidates in exams conducted by Canara Bank compared to those conducted by the State Bank of India (SBI). Solicitor General Tushar Mehta responded by explaining that while the difficulty level of the exams remains consistent, the sheer volume of candidates—24 lakh—introduces a margin for human error. Mehta further clarified that the authorization process for exam papers is digitized, and the entire transfer process is monitored via CCTV. He also recommended that clearer guidelines be established for both Canara Bank and SBI regarding the release and distribution of exam papers.
CJI Seeks Details on Retest Candidates: Chief Justice D.Y. Chandrachud requested specific details about the 1,563 candidates involved in the retest. Solicitor General Tushar Mehta provided an update, stating that the information had been prepared the previous day. The retest was necessitated due to issues surrounding compensatory marks. Out of the 1,563 candidates, 816 chose to retake the exam. Mehta noted that some high-performing students opted out of the retest, preferring not to jeopardize their initial satisfactory performance.
NEET Performance Consistent Over Years, Says SG: Solicitor General Tushar Mehta also addressed the performance metrics of students from Kota's Lal Bahadur Shastri center. Out of 476 students who appeared for the NEET exam from this center, 28 achieved ranks within the top 56,000, excluding those in reserved categories. Mehta emphasized that there has been no significant spike in performance over the years, maintaining that the consistency is evident from past data; for instance, in 2022, 24 students from the same center achieved similar ranks.
NTA Defends NEET Conduct Amid Concerns: In response to concerns about the National Eligibility cum Entrance Test (NEET), Solicitor General Tushar Mehta, representing the National Testing Agency (NTA), addressed the Supreme Court.

Mehta stated, "Instances of suspicion have arisen at only three to four centers. However, this issue involves approximately 24 lakh students across 4,750 centers. There is no pan-India effect." He highlighted that the top 100 students were spread across 95 centers in 56 cities and 18 states/UTs.

Chief Justice of India (CJI) D.Y. Chandrachud asked, "Do we have any students from Hazaribagh in this top 100?"

SG Mehta responded that they would present data from the years 2022, 2023, and 2024. He explained that the NEET percentile system determines the qualifying marks, noting that this year's 50th percentile required 164 marks, compared to last year's 137 marks. This change indicates an increase in the number of students and their performance, alongside a reduced syllabus.

Wrong Medium Papers Given to Students: In Sawai Madhopur, Rajasthan, students who had opted for Hindi medium papers were mistakenly given English ones. Petitioners informed the Supreme Court about this error, with Mr. Hooda representing the affected students. He stated that the mistake was discovered two hours into the exam, prompting a restart with the correct papers, extending the exam to 3.2 hours. This mistake impacted 120 students, and the issue was identified through social media. Similar problems occurred in Ghaziabad, Uttar Pradesh.
IIT Delhi Validates NTA Answer: Prof. Rangan Banerjee, Director of IIT Delhi, formed a committee from the Department of Physics to review the NTA's answer key. The expert team concluded that option 4 is correct, determining that Statement 2 is incorrect because atoms of radioactive material are not stable. This validation of the NTA's answer key was endorsed by the Chief Justice of India (CJI).
NTA Highlights Higher Qualifying Marks: The National Testing Agency (NTA) informed the Supreme Court that the qualifying marks for NEET UG 2024 are significantly higher than those for 2023. Solicitor General Tushar Mehta explained that the qualifying marks are based on the 50th percentile of the 2,333,297 candidates who appeared for the exam. This year, the qualifying mark for the unreserved category is 164 out of 720, compared to 137 last year, indicating a significant increase in overall performance. SG Mehta emphasized that the percentile system prevents private colleges from admitting underqualified students and reflects an increase in student numbers and their dedication, alongside a reduced syllabus.
IIT Delhi Backs Single Answer: The Supreme Court received a report from IIT Delhi concerning ambiguous physics questions in the NEET UG 2024. According to IIT Delhi experts, "there was only one correct answer and not two." On July 22, the court instructed the IIT Delhi director to form a three-member panel, including a subject expert, to review the contentious physics question. The controversial question in the NEET paper was:

Statement I: Atoms are electrically neutral as they contain an equal number of positive and negative charges.

Statement II: Atoms of each element are stable and emit their characteristic spectrum.

The options were:

Statement I is incorrect but Statement II is correct.

Both Statement I and Statement II are correct.

Both Statement I and Statement II are incorrect.

Statement I is correct but Statement II is incorrect.

Supreme Court Backs NTA's Decision: The Supreme Court upheld the National Testing Agency's (NTA) conclusion that option 4 is the correct answer to the disputed physics question in the NEET UG exam. An expert panel's report confirmed that option 4 is indeed correct, resolving the ambiguity surrounding the question.
SG Explains Percentile System: Solicitor General Tushar Mehta elaborated on the percentile system used in NEET. He explained, "The percentile is a figure arrived at after calculations. In this exam, it was 50 percentile, which equates to 164 marks. Last year, it was 137 marks. This increase indicates a rise in the number of students and reflects that this batch of 24 lakh students was more hardworking, with a reduced syllabus."
This Batch Of Students More Hardworking, Says SG: The Solicitor General (SG) recently provided an explanation to the court regarding the percentile system used in evaluating exam results. According to the SG, an analysis of the percentile calculations revealed that this year's passing mark (the 50th percentile) is 164. In contrast, the previous year’s passing mark was 137. The SG noted that this increase suggests that the current batch of students, comprising 24 lakh individuals, demonstrated greater diligence and effort compared to previous years. Additionally, the SG pointed out that the syllabus had been streamlined this year, potentially contributing to the changes observed in the percentile calculations.
Top 100 Students Spread Across 95 Centres, Says SG: The SG also provided information about the distribution of top-performing students. The examination took place at a total of 4750 centres nationwide. Notably, the top 100 students were distributed across 95 centres, spanning 56 cities and 18 states/Union Territories. This widespread distribution underscores the broad geographical representation of high achievers in this year's exam.
Candidates With Individual Grievances Can Move HC, Says CJI: In recent remarks, the Chief Justice of India (CJI) highlighted that candidates who have specific grievances related to their cases are entitled to seek redressal through the High Court (HC). This statement reflects the judiciary’s openness to addressing individual concerns and ensuring that justice is served. The union is expected to present its case before the court, as reported by Bar and Bench.
IIT Delhi Submits Report: Option 4 Correct: In an update on the ongoing matter, the Director of IIT Delhi, Professor Banerjee, has presented a report based on the findings of a committee from the Department of Physics. The committee's evaluation confirms that Option 4 for Question 19 is indeed correct. The Chief Justice noted that “Statement 2 is incorrect because atoms of radioactive material are not stable.” Consequently, the National Testing Agency (NTA) was justified in its decision to mark Option 4 as correct, according to the CJI’s observations during today’s bench proceedings.

neet ug 2024

Also read: NEET UG 2024 SC Hearing: NEET Hearing To Resume Tomorrow

Major highlights from yesterday's hearing

Scenarios of NEET UG Paper Leak: Chief Justice of India (CJI) DY Chandrachud presented two potential scenarios regarding the NEET UG paper leak: one occurring before May 3, when the papers were under bank custody, and the other on May 5, after the papers had left the banks. The CJI investigated the number of students who changed examination centers and the procedure for center allocation. The Supreme Court mandated the National Testing Agency (NTA) to release NEET UG results by center and state by July 20, 2024, addressing petitioners' demands for increased transparency. Additionally, the Bihar police and the Economic Offences Wing (EOW) were instructed to submit their investigation reports.
IIT Delhi Review: The Supreme Court tasked an expert group of three members from IIT Delhi to provide the correct answer to an NCERT question that resulted in 44 candidates achieving top ranks. The court requested IIT Delhi to form a three-member committee and present their findings by noon on the day of the hearing.
Controversy Over Physics Question 19: The CJI noted that more than 400,000 students benefited from Option 2 being marked correct for Physics Question 19. If this option is deemed incorrect, these students would lose four marks and receive a single negative mark. This issue highlights the potential impact of changing answer keys post-examination.
New vs. Old NCERT Textbooks: The Solicitor General informed the court that 4,20,773 students answered according to the old NCERT textbook, while 9,28,379 students followed the new textbook. The NTA emphasized that students are expected to use the new NCERT edition. The CJI remarked that awarding marks for Option 2 contradicts the NTA's rule against following the old edition.
Advocate Hegde's Statement on Exam Fairness: Advocate Sanjay Hegde argued that there is an organized gang responsible for leaking exam papers as part of their business model. He emphasized that it is impossible to assure students of a fair exam under these circumstances, underscoring the systemic issues in maintaining exam integrity.
Question Paper Transportation Issues: The CJI pointed out that question papers were transported in an e-rickshaw, contrary to claims that the photograph showed OMR sheets. The court established that the transportation of question papers via e-rickshaw was a fact, raising concerns about the security and handling of examination materials.
Viral Marksheet Sparks Debate: A viral marksheet of a student from Gujarat, who failed in the 12th grade but scored 705 marks in NEET UG, has sparked controversy. Following the release of city- and center-wise results, this student's marksheet has been widely circulated on social media, leading to debates about the integrity of the examination process.
Government's Stand on NEET-UG Controversy: Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan stated in Lok Sabha that the central government has nothing to hide and has presented all facts to the Supreme Court. He urged waiting for the court's instructions, affirming the government's transparency and openness for discussion.
Potential of Blockchain Technology: Experts suggest that blockchain technology could mitigate paper leaks by enhancing the traceability and security of examination processes. While not a complete solution, blockchain could ensure a fairer process by identifying the source of leaks and reducing internal corruption, cyberattacks, and theft.
NEET-UG 2024 Counselling: The NEET UG 2024 counselling process is expected to begin on July 24, divided into four rounds. The Supreme Court's final verdict on the matter is anticipated, which will influence the counselling timeline and procedures.
Leak Occurred Before Exam Date: The CJI observed that the paper leak likely occurred on or before May 4, based on statements that students were instructed to memorize the papers and answers the night before the exam, held on May 5.
Significant Number of Candidates Scored Zero or Negative Marks: More than 11,000 candidates scored zero or negative marks in NEET UG 2024. The lowest score recorded was -180 at a center in Bihar. The NTA clarified that zero marks do not necessarily mean blank answer sheets but could result from negative marking for incorrect answers.
Incident at Hardayal School: The NTA reported a mix-up where Canara Bank question papers were mistakenly distributed to three centers in Jhajjar. The mistake was corrected at two centers, but not at the third. Advocate Hooda highlighted that grace marks were awarded to students at Hardayal School, indicating systemic failure.
Financial Motive Behind Paper Leak: The CJI remarked that the paper leak was motivated by financial gain rather than creating a widespread disruption. The limited circulation of leaked papers suggests a focus on profit rather than a mass-scale compromise of the exam's integrity.
Criteria for Retest: The Supreme Court emphasized that any decision for a retest must be based on substantial evidence that the sanctity of the entire exam was compromised. A re-examination would only be considered if there is concrete proof of widespread impact on the exam's fairness.
Gap in Question Paper Handling: The CJI highlighted a nine-day gap between the printing and dispatch of question papers. The papers were sent to bank branches on April 24 and received on May 3, raising questions about the security measures during this period.
IIT Madras Analysis on Paper Leak: IIT Madras conducted a technical evaluation of the NEET-UG 2024 data and found no evidence of mass malpractice. The analysis indicated that no local candidates benefited from abnormal scores, and the government assured that guilty candidates would not benefit from the examination process.
Advocate Hooda's Proposal: Advocate Narender Hooda suggested that if a complete re-examination is not feasible, at least the qualified candidates should retake the exam to ensure fairness. He emphasized maintaining the integrity of the examination process.
Uncertainties About the Extent of Paper Leak: Senior Advocate Hegde highlighted that the NEET paper leak likely originated in Hazaribagh and reached about 100 people. The investigation suggests the leak occurred on the night of May 4 or earlier, not on the morning of the exam.
Reference to 2015 Tanvi Sarwal Judgment: A counsel cited the 2015 "Tanvi Sarwal" judgment, which canceled the All India Pre-Medical Test after 44 candidates were found using unfair means. The counsel argued that the current NEET case could warrant similar action, setting a precedent for exam cancellation despite ongoing investigations.
Objections to Extended Registration Window: A counsel objected to the NTA's decision to open a 24-hour registration window on April 9 for 24,000 additional students. They argued that candidates who missed the initial deadline should not receive extra opportunities, emphasizing the importance of adhering to deadlines.
Challenge to Ambiguous NEET Question: A counsel representing a petitioner with 711 marks challenged a NEET question with ambiguous options, which led the petitioner to skip it. The counsel argued that the petitioner's rank would have been higher if the NTA had not awarded marks for either option and cited the Kanpur University v. Samir Gupta judgment to support their demand for the question's deletion.
Argument Against Re-Test: Advocate Tanvi Dubey, representing petitioners from Maharashtra, argued against a re-test due to the severe hardships it would cause students who have prepared diligently for years. The Chief Justice instructed those seeking a re-test to submit their requests by email to the court master, limited to half a page, excluding those who have already argued in court.