Will NEET-PG 2024 Answer Key Be Released By NBEMS? Here's What You Should Know

NEET PG 2024 Answer Key: The National Board of Examinations in Medical Sciences (NBEMS) conducted the NEET-PG 2024 on August 11, with nearly two lakh candidates appearing for the crucial medical entrance examination. Usually, NBEMS does not release the NEET-PG answer key.  As the results are eagerly anticipated, a key question remains unanswered: Will NBEMS release the provisional answer key?

Plea Urging Supreme Court To Direct NBEMS To Release NEET-PG Answer Key

This uncertainty has become a significant concern for many candidates, especially in light of ongoing legal proceedings. in June this year, a NEET-PG candidate filed a petition with the Supreme Court, urging it to direct NBEMS to release the NEET-PG answer key. The petitioner challenged NBEMS's refusal to provide access to the question paper, answer key, and answer sheets for the exam. Additionally, the petitioner sought the court’s intervention to allow candidates the opportunity to apply for re-evaluation of their scores.

The argument put forth by the petitioner highlights a critical disparity between NEET-PG and other major exams such as IIT-JEE, CMAT, CLAT, and various judicial service exams, which routinely provide answer keys to candidates. The NEET-UG exam, conducted by the National Testing Agency (NTA), also offers answer keys, raising questions about why NEET-PG candidates are denied the same access.

Moreover, the petitioner referenced a landmark Supreme Court judgment in the case of CBSE And Anr. v. Aditya Bandhopadhyay And Ors (2011), which established that answer sheets are considered information under the Right to Information (RTI) Act. According to this ruling, candidates have the right to access their answer sheets, and since NBEMS is not exempt from the RTI Act under Section 24, it cannot legally deny this access.

NBEMS Will Not Share NEET-PG Answer Key: Official Notice

The petition specifically challenges Clauses 9.7 and 10.4 of the NEET-PG Information Bulletin, which explicitly state that NBEMS will not share any content of the examination, including answer keys and answer sheets, and that there will be no re-evaluation or rechecking of responses. The petitioner argues that these clauses are unconstitutional and infringe upon candidates’ rights.

On June 11, the Supreme Court dismissed similar petitions seeking the release of answer sheets, answer keys, and re-evaluation for the 2021 and 2022 NEET-PG exams. However, the court allowed the possibility of filing a fresh petition if grievances persisted regarding the NEET-PG 2024 exam.

In the current case, the Supreme Court has asked NBEMS, along with the Medical Counselling Committee (MCC) and other relevant authorities, to submit their responses to the petition. The matter has been slated for further hearing on July 8, 2024, with the vacation bench comprising Justices Vikram Nath and S.V.N. Bhatti issuing a notice for the respondents to file their counter affidavits.

Will NEET-PG Answer Key Be Released?

As of now, there has been no official directive from the Supreme Court compelling NBEMS to release the NEET-PG answer key. Candidates are advised to stay patient and await further developments in the case. At present, NBEMS has made no announcement regarding the release of the answer key, leaving the situation in a state of uncertainty.