NEET 2024 Controversy: Demands for #ReNEET escalate
New Delhi: Amid the National Testing Agency's (NTA) decision to hold a restest for 1563 NEET UG 2024 candidates, who were given grace marks, the demands for conducting a re-test for all the candidates have escalated.
Demanding a retest and a CBI probe into the alleged irregularities in the National Eligibility-cum-Entrance Test Undergraduate Examination, around 20 aspirants and 20 parents under the banner of the Indian Foreign Medical Students (IFMS) marched from the Central Secretariat to the Education Ministry's main offices in Delhi on Friday afternoon.
Meanwhile, citing the alleged irregularities in the NEET UG 2024, several X (formerly Twitter) have demanded the resignation of the Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan. Some have called for action against National Testing Agency (NTA) officials.
This year's NEET UG 2024 was mired in controversies after a paper leak scam was revealed in Bihar. Around 13 people, including four examinees and their family members, were arrested in Bihar for their alleged involvement in the paper leak of the NEET-UG exam. Patna police sources had previously claimed that the NEET-UG question papers along with their answers were provided to around 20 aspirants a day before the date of the exam i.e. May 5, 2024.
Also Read: NEET Candidates paid up to Rs 50 lakhs for getting Question Papers in Advance: Bihar EOU
Then, the Economic Offences Unit (EOU) of Bihar Police, which took over the investigation, revealed that the brokers involved in the NEET paper leak scam took between Rs 30 lakh to Rs 50 lakh from each of the medical aspirants in exchange for giving them the question paper of the NEET UG 2024 question paper ahead of the examination.
Medical Dialogues had earlier reported that the allegations of NEET paper leak reached the peak when 67 candidates secured All India Rank 1 in the NEET UG 2024 exam. Questions were raised about the candidates scoring 718 or 719 marks out of 720 marks as well (which is impossible considering the NEET marking scheme).
When NTA tried to defend the results saying that several candidates were issued grace marks to compensate for the loss of time during the exam, further questions were raised. Pleas were also filed against NTA before the Supreme Court challenging the policy of granting grace marks.
Amid the uproar, the Union Government's counsel recently informed the Supreme Court that the committee set up in this regard recommended withdrawing the grace marks of 1563 candidates and informing them of their original scores, obtained without the grace marks. NTA has decided that these 1563 candidates would be given a choice of retaining their original scores (without grace marks) or appear in a retest, which will be held on 23rd June. The results of the retest will be published before 30th June, 2024 so that the NEET UG 2024 counselling could start from 6th July, 2024.
However, the protesting candidates have insisted that the counselling for NEET UG 2024 should not commence until the concerns regarding the exam are resolved. Writing to the Union Government, the Indian Foreign Medical Students (IFMS) demanded a retest, a Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) led probe into the matter, strict action against the involved officials and inviduals and they also demanded a transparency in the examination process.
"For greater transparency, the total number of questions attempted by each student, in total and categorized by subject, should be included on the OMR sheet. This must be duly verified by the invigilator to prevent any tampering or manipulation," IFMS mentioned in the letter and also prayed for a provision of extra 15 minutes of time for students to do the same.
Commenting on the matter, Bhupendra Chaurasiya, a doctor and social activist who was part of the IFMS delegation along with NEET aspirants told The Hindu, "In our meeting with the Minister, we were told that the necessary steps will be taken following Supreme Court instructions. However, the counselling process is to take place soon. If counselling takes place before all the issues are addressed, students who made it via a backdoor will benefit and those who have spent 16 hours studying every day for years will suffer."
Other aspirants have decided to continue protesting until their demands are met. Meanwhile, the All India Students' Association's DU and JNU units, mentioned in a statement, "The momentary relief provided to the applicants by the SC in scrapping away the 'grace marks' awarded to the applicants by NTA are not a solution to the loss of time and money suffered by the applicants. Justice can only be done once re-examination is conducted for all applicants of the exams."
Addressing the Union Education Minister, an user wrote on X, "First apologize for insulting lakhs of students by saying NO Paper leak when the whole country knows there was. Next conduct the re-exam. Fairly this time. Do this without delay."
Demanding proper action, the X handle of 'Indian Doctor' addressed the Union Education Minister and mentioned in a post, "Either @EduMinOfIndia @dpradhanbjp take strict action on @NTA_Exams & conduct a thorough @CBIHeadquarters probe or #Resign with immediate ! We Dont Want A Weak Minister!!"
Similar demands have also been made by the National President of the United Doctors' Front Association (UDFA), Dr. Lakshya Mittal. Urging the Prime Minister Narendra Modi to take action, another X post by 'Indian Doctor' stated, "Girls are facing the most problems. Parents do not want to give them a second chance! NEET fraud has killed the children's dreams as well as their confidence. @narendramodi Yes, take action yourself and cancel the exam and stand with the children!!"
Meanwhile, RTI activist Dr. Vivek Pandey pointed out that the main issue concerns the allegations of NEET paper leak. He mentioned in an X post, "The voice is loud, paper leak is the main issue Our small group of students are working since 5 may, they are going to media to raise voice of 24 lakh student We filed petition,NTA & other got noticed. SC said - sanctity of NEET is affected we need answers."
Although, the Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan had earlier rejected any paper leak claims in the NEET 2024 exam this year, he has now assured action against NTA officials if they were found guilty if the "irregularities" in the conduct of the 2024 MBBS entrance exam.
Speaking to ANI on the matter, the Minister said, "On the recommendations of the Supreme Court, the order has been given for re-test of 1,563 candidates. Some irregularities have come to light in two places. I assure students and parents that the government has taken this seriously." Improvement in NTA, which conducts NEET exam, is needed, he added.
Last week, Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge had pointed out that the issues with NEET 2024 extended beyond that of grace marks. He claimed that there were instances of rigging, corruption, and a paper leak. Responding to this, the Union Education Minister had mentioned that there was no concrete evidence of any such rigging.
Meanwhile, multiple pleas are pending before the Supreme Court demanding the scrapping of NEET UG 2024 exam, a fresh examination and a court-monitored probe into the alleged irregularities. The Supreme Court has listed the issues for further hearing on 8th July, 2024.
Also Read: Fresh Plea before SC Seeks Scrapping of NEET 2024 Exam, Court-Monitored CBI Probe
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