What is NEET UG result controversy? Explained

Medical students and junior doctors stage a protest against alleged irregularities in NEET-UG 2024 Entrance Examination results, in Kolkata. (PTI Photo)

The Centre on Thursday told the Supreme Court that the decision to award grace marks to 1,563 NEET-UG 2024 candidates for admission to MBBS, BDS and others courses has been cancelled. It said that the students will be given an option to take a re-test on June 23. In case they don't opt to take the re-test, then their earlier marks, sans the grace marks, will be given for the purposes of the results.

The decision by the Centre and the National Testing Agency (NTA) comes amid widespread allegations of question paper leak and the grant of grace marks to over 1,500 medical aspirants in the NEET exam. The charges even led to protests and filing of cases in as many as seven high courts and the apex court.

Here’s a detailed breakdown of what the NEET UG 2024 result controversy is all about and why aspirants as well as politicians called for a probe into the matter:

Alleged NEET UG question paper leak: Reports surfaced that the NEET UG 2024 question paper was leaked prior to the exam, leading to suspicions of an unfair advantage for some candidates. This breach in exam integrity cast doubts on the overall fairness of the results. Some even raised eyebrows over NTA declaring the results 10 days in advance. The results were declared on June 4, coinciding with the Lok Sabha election counting.

NEET UG grace marks row: Some students scored 718 or 719 out of 720 marks in the exam. However, this raised suspicion since it is statistically impossible due to NEET's marking scheme. The NTA said that these students were given grace marks to compensate for the “loss of time” they suffered while appearing for this year’s exam.

Perfect scores: As many as 67 students scored a perfect 720 in the examination, which is unprecedented in the NTA's history. Moreover, as many as six of these students were from the same centre in Haryana's Faridabad. This further fuelled suspicions of irregularities. The Indian Medical Association (IMA) Junior Doctors Network demanded a CBI inquiry into the record number of students scoring perfect scores.

Technical glitches: Numerous candidates also reported technical issues, such as computer malfunctions and internet connectivity problems, which disrupted their exam experience. These issues created an uneven playing field, impacting the performance of many students.

Discrepancies in NEET UG answer keys: There have been claims of inaccuracies in the official answer keys released by the exam authorities. Incorrect answers in the key could significantly alter the scoring, prompting calls for a re-evaluation.

Unfair NEET UG Exam Conditions: Some examination centers were reported to be overcrowded and poorly managed, with inadequate seating and ventilation. These conditions contributed to a stressful environment, adversely affecting candidates' performance.

No evidence of paper leak in NEET-UG: Dharmendra Pradhan

Newly-inducted education minister Dharmendra Pradhan has quelled concerns of paper leak, saying that there was no evidence of the same. "There is no evidence of paper leak in NEET-UG. The allegations of corruption in NTA are unfounded, it is a very credible body," Pradhan told reporters.

Earlier, several opposition leaders, including Congress chief Mallikarjun Kharge and general secretary Jairam Ramesh, had called for a thorough investigation into the NEET UG 2024 results, citing concerns over exam integrity and alleged irregularities.

Kharge accused the Modi government of compromising candidates' future, while Ramesh highlighted reports of a suppressed paper leak and inflated marks, with suspicious clustering of top ranks. Congress leaders Randeep Surjewala and Priyanka Gandhi Vadra echoed these concerns, urging for a high-level probe under Supreme Court supervision to ensure justice for the affected 24 lakh students.

Social media storm over NEET results

Aspirants also took to social media platforms like X (formerly Twitter) to express their concerns and frustrations after the results. Here are some of these posts on X:

@narendramodi please take some action on NEET Scam created by NTA as soon as possible#neetresult2024 #neetscam#Neet_paper_रद_करो

— Jay Prakash Verma (@jpvermasports45) June 8, 2024

Why was NEET results declared on the same day the Election results? I mean why the hurry , why the same day ? #NEET #neetresult2024

Can’t score 717/ 718 in NEET ? Is this true.

— James Jose (@jamesjose123) June 8, 2024

The government should cancel the exams and conduct an investigation. they must be punished so that they remember what a big scame they committed against the NEET students. #NEET_पेपर_रद्द_करो #neetresult2024

— shivam (@shivamojas) June 8, 2024

But, in the same petition it has been mentioned in crystal clear words that this formula can't be applied to medical and engineering exams. Then how can NTA award grace marks in NEET exam. #ntascammer #neetresult2024

— Anushka Banerjee (@Anushka7_B) June 8, 2024

how can It happen that 8 students from the same centre scored 720 marks out of 720,even in NEET 2023 overall 2 students scored 720 marks.#neetresult2024 #NEET_परीक्षा_परिणाम #NeetUG24Controversy

— Raj Kumar Tiwari  (@Imrkt45) June 8, 2024