On October 22, the Supreme Court of India dismissed a petition seeking a review of its August 2, 2024 verdict regarding the NEET-UG 2024 examination. The bench, comprising Chief Justice of India (CJI) D.Y. Chandrachud and Justices J.B. Pardiwala and Manoj Misra, concluded there was no apparent error in its earlier judgment and rejected the request for an open court hearing.
Background of the Case
The petition for review was filed by Kajal Kumari, challenging the court’s earlier decision to not order a fresh examination for NEET-UG 2024. The court had previously ruled that there was insufficient evidence to suggest any systemic leak or malpractice that compromised the integrity of the examination.
In the August 2 order, the bench had stated, “Sufficient material is not on record at present which indicates a systemic leak or systemic malpractice of other forms.” The ruling emphasized that no evidence pointed to widespread cheating or compromise in the exam process. The court also noted that data analysis revealed no irregularities in the examination, reinforcing the integrity of the process.
Review Petition Dismissed
The bench observed that the review petition filed by Kajal Kumari failed to meet the criteria for a review under Order XLVII Rule 1 of the Supreme Court Rules 2013. In its ruling, the court affirmed that there was no error in the previous judgment and dismissed the review plea. Furthermore, the request for an open court hearing was also turned down.
Panel’s Expanded Role
The court had earlier directed the expansion of the Centre-appointed panel, led by K. Radhakrishnan, former Chairman of the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO). The committee’s mandate was to review the National Testing Agency (NTA), which conducts the NEET-UG, and suggest reforms for improving the examination system. The panel is expected to submit recommendations addressing deficiencies in the examination system.
Concerns Over NTA’s Conduct
While the court did not find sufficient evidence of systemic malpractice in the examination, it was critical of how the NTA organized the NEET-UG 2024. The court expressed serious concerns over the manner in which the examination was conducted, stating that the NTA, entrusted with the responsibility of conducting such an important national exam, could not afford any missteps. The court directed the NTA to address all concerns raised and take corrective measures based on the committee’s forthcoming recommendations.
NEET-UG 2024 Examination Overview
The NEET-UG 2024 examination, held on May 5, saw the participation of over 23 lakh students vying for admission to undergraduate medical courses, including MBBS, BDS, AYUSH, and other related fields.
Conclusion
The Supreme Court has firmly upheld its decision to not hold a fresh NEET-UG 2024 examination, emphasizing the absence of substantial evidence for systemic cheating or malpractice. However, it has raised concerns about the conduct of the NTA and has called for a thorough review and reform of the examination process through the K. Radhakrishnan committee.
