New Delhi: In the wake of the contentious National Eligibility cum Entrance Test – Undergraduate (NEET-UG) 2024 results, health activist Dr. Vivek Pandey has taken a significant step by filing a Right to Information (RTI) plea. The RTI seeks detailed information from the National Testing Agency (NTA) regarding the awarding of grace marks in this year’s exam.
The controversy erupted after the results were announced on June 4, with candidates noticing that some students had scored 718 or 719 out of a possible 720. This prompted questions since the NEET-UG marking scheme awards four marks per correct answer and deducts one mark for each incorrect answer. Given this pattern, candidates demanded clarity on how such scores were possible.
In response, the NTA stated that it had received complaints and court cases from NEET-UG 2024 candidates concerning time loss during the exam. As a result, the NTA compensated these candidates with grace marks. However, this explanation has not satisfied the medical community or the candidates.
Dr. Pandey’s RTI plea seeks comprehensive details on several aspects:
- The total number of students who received grace marks.
- The criteria and rules used to determine the awarding of grace marks.
- Specific details regarding the court cases filed against the NTA that led to the awarding of grace marks.
Dr. Pandey, alongside NEET aspirants, has also filed a petition in the Supreme Court against the NTA. The petition alleges instances of paper leaks during the NEET-UG 2024 examination, adding another layer to the controversy.
While the Supreme Court has yet to announce a hearing date, Dr. Pandey has requested an urgent hearing, emphasizing the growing concerns among students following the results.
The outcome of the RTI plea and the Supreme Court petition could have significant implications for the integrity and transparency of the NEET-UG examination process, affecting the future of numerous aspiring medical students.
PNN & Agencies