NEET SC Hearing Highlights: Increase in syllabus, five-fold surge in 550-720 scorers, petitioners allege

NEW DELHI: The National Eligibility Entrance Test (NEET) UG 2024 syllabus was increased five months before the exam and there has been a five-fold surge in the number of candidates getting 550-720 marks, alleged petitioners, as per Live Law. The Supreme Court is hearing 40 petitions seeking cancellation of the NEET exam over alleged paper leak and malpractices and direction to NTA to conduct re-exam for all candidates as well as pleas of those opposing re-NEET.

A bench comprising chief justice of India DY Chandrachud and two justices is hearing the petitions alleging large-scale malpractice in the medical entrance exam held this year.

NEET Case: Major arguments in SC

During the NEET case proceedings, senior advocate Narender Hooda representing the petitioners pushed for analysis of NEET results of 1.8 lakh students adding that there are 56,000 government and 52,000 private medical seats across the country and the report should deal with this figure only. When asked if the petitioners are among this figure, the solicitor general told the apex court that there were 131 students who were not falling within 1.8 lakh wanted a re-test while 254 who were falling within the range were opposing re-NEET.

While comparing NEET results of the initial exam and retest, the NTA counsel informed that the first 100 rank holders were from 95 centres located in 56 cities within 18 states and union territories of the country.

The CJI was trying to ascertain how many candidates changed their exam centres and if the change was to any of the suspected areas. NTA told the court that 15,000 students applied for correction between April 9 and 10. Of these, only 44 students are getting admissions, the NTA counsel informed.

Hooda alleged that the IIT Madras report has not taken increase in syllabus, Jaipur toppers, and marks inflation into consideration while preparing the analysis. Pointing to the inflation of marks in NEET 2024, Hooda said the increase in the number of candidates in the 550-720 marks range is “five-fold” which is a “red flag”. He showed a document suggesting increase in topics adding that the addition was done five months prior to the exam while NTA remained shushed on it.

NEET UG 2024: Latest developments

Earlier today, the petitioners alleged that NTA tried to mislead the top court by using an incomplete and flawed report on NEET results prepared by the Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) Madras.

Meanwhile, the Medical Counselling Committee has already commenced the NEET UG counselling process. The committee asked medical colleges to submit the MBBS seat matrix by July 20.

NEET Controversy

NTA and centre have been under heavy criticism by agitated students and opposition parties over alleged paper leak, irregularities, and cheating in NEET UG 2024 held on May 5 for admissions to MBBS, BDS, AYUSH and other related courses in government and private institutions across the country. Aspirants and opposition leaders held several protests and demanded scrapping of NTA and resignation of union education minister Dharmendra Pradhan.

The top court cancelled the NEET results 2024 of 1,563 candidates who were awarded grace marks. For the first time, 67 students topped the exam leading to complaints regarding grace marks and malpractices. NTA conducted a re-exam and the number of NEET 2024 toppers dropped to 61.