Students File Plea in Supreme Court Demanding ED Investigation in NEET-UG Irregularities

New Delhi: Students alleging irregularities in the conduct of the undergraduate National Eligibility-cum-Entrance Test (NEET-UG) 2024 have filed a fresh petition in the Supreme Court of India seeking an investigation by the Enforcement Directorate. The petitioners have demanded that the ED should take up the matter under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act.

While the students are demanding a re-examination for all the students, the Education ministry said that the incidents of paper leak are isolated incidences. The apex court has also issued notice to NTA, the Centre and other concerned authorities seeking their response. Further, the Supreme Court has also refused to halt the counselling process. While hearing a batch of petitions on June 22, the Supreme Court refused to defer the counselling date. 

What is the Controversy Regarding NEET-UG? 

The NEET-UG exam was conducted by the NTA on May 5, with results announced on June 4. Around 24 lakh candidates appeared for the exam. The exam is conducted by the NTA for admissions to MBBS, BDS, AYUSH and other related courses in government and private institutions across the country.

Following the announcement of result, allegations of paper leaks and irregularities surfaced in Bihar, Gujarat, and other states, leading to wide-scale protest across the country. An unprecedented 67 candidates achieved a perfect score of 720 marks out of 720, which added to the concerns.

Later, it was revealed that aspirants were awarded grace marks by NTA to make up for the loss of time at six centres where the exam started late on May 5. However, the decision was withdrawn, and the students were asked to appear for a retest. As many as 813 of the 1,563 candidates who were earlier awarded grace marks in the NEET-UG exam appeared for a retest on Sunday, June 23. The retest was conducted at seven centres.

CBI Takes Up Probe 

The CBI is investigating the matter currently. The probe agency registered a case under appropriate sections of the Indian Penal Code (IPC) including 420 (offence of cheating) and 120B (Offence of partnering in a criminal conspiracy). 

7-Member Panel to Meet Today 

The Education ministry has constituted a seven-member high-level committee to look into the functioning of the National Testing Agency, which is likely to meet today. 

"To ensure transparent, smooth, and fair conduct of examinations through the National Testing Agency (NTA), the Department of Higher Education, Ministry of Education constituted a High-Level Committee of Experts to make recommendations on reform in the mechanism of examination process improvement in data security protocols and the structure and functioning of National Testing Agency," the ministry said while announcing the committee.