The Supreme Court of India is deliberating whether a retest for the National Eligibility cum Entrance Test (Undergraduate) (NEET UG) 2024 is required due to a reported question paper leak. The court has directed the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) and the National Testing Agency (NTA) to provide detailed reports on the status of the investigation and the specifics of the leak.
Key Points from the Supreme Court’s Inquiry
Investigative Reports Required
The Supreme Court has mandated the CBI to submit a report detailing the status of their investigation into the NEET UG 2024 paper leak. Additionally, the NTA has been asked to clarify the timeline between the occurrence of the question paper leak and the conduct of the exam on May 5, 2024.
Segregation of Beneficiaries
The court is exploring whether it is feasible to identify and segregate the students who benefited from the paper leak from those who did not. Chief Justice of India D Y Chandrachud emphasized that if the integrity of the entire exam process is compromised, a retest may be necessary. However, if the beneficiaries can be precisely identified, a large-scale retest might be avoided.
Parameters for Deciding on a Retest
The three-judge bench, which includes Justices J B Pardiwala and Manoj Misra, outlined specific parameters for deciding on the need for a retest:
- Systemic Breach: Whether the breach occurred at a systemic level.
- Integrity of the Exam: The extent to which the breach affects the integrity of the exam process.
- Feasibility of Segregation: The possibility of identifying and segregating the beneficiaries of the fraud.
Court’s Directions to NTA and CBI
The court has asked the NTA to disclose:
- The nature and locations of the leak.
- The timeline of the leak’s occurrence and its dissemination.
- Steps taken to identify the leak’s beneficiaries and the centers or cities involved.
- The CBI has been instructed to file a report on the current status of the investigation and any new findings by July 8, 2024.
Use of Data Analytics
The court has also inquired whether data analytics could be employed to identify suspect cases and segregate tainted students from untainted ones. This approach aims to minimize the impact on honest students and ensure a fair resolution.
Preventive Measures for Future Exams
To prevent such incidents in the future, the court suggested that the government establish a multidisciplinary team of experts to implement robust measures. The government has been asked to inform the court about the constitution of this committee and whether any additional members are needed.
Next Steps Under NEET Investigation
The Supreme Court has scheduled the next hearing for July 11, 2024. By then, the Centre, the NTA, and the CBI are required to file their affidavits and share them with the petitioners by 5 pm on July 10, 2024.
This ongoing deliberation underscores the Supreme Court’s commitment to maintaining the integrity of the NEET UG examination process and ensuring that justice is served for all students involved.
NEET UG 2024 Paper Leak Investigation FAQs
Q1: What is the Supreme Court’s primary concern regarding the NEET UG 2024 paper leaK?
Answer: The Supreme Court is concerned about whether the integrity of the entire exam process has been compromised. They are evaluating if it is possible to segregate the beneficiaries of the paper leak from untainted students to decide if a retest is necessary.
Q2: What information has the Supreme Court requested from the NTA and CBI?
Answer: The Supreme Court has directed the NTA to provide details about the nature of the leak, the locations where it occurred, the timeline between the leak and the exam, and the steps taken to identify the beneficiaries. The CBI has been asked to submit a report on the status of their investigation and any findings as of July 8, 2024.
Q3: What criteria will the Supreme Court consider to decide on the need for a retest?
Answer: The Supreme Court will consider if the breach occurred at a systemic level, if it affects the integrity of the entire exam process, and if it is possible to identify and segregate the beneficiaries of the fraud from the untainted students.
Q4: What preventive measures has the Supreme Court suggested to avoid future exam leaks?
Answer: The Supreme Court has suggested that the government set up a multidisciplinary team of renowned experts to ensure robust measures are in place to prevent future breaches. The government has been asked to inform the court about the constitution of this committee and any additional members needed.
