NEET 2024 Result Row: NTA sets up panel to review over 1,500 students awarded grace marks

NEET Exam

In response to the ongoing controversy surrounding the NEET UG 2024 results, the Ministry of Education has established a four-member panel to review the grace marks awarded to over 1,500 candidates. This decision follows allegations of mark inflation, which led to an unprecedented 67 candidates sharing the top rank, including six from the same exam center.

At a press conference, National Testing Agency (NTA) Director General Subodh Kumar Singh announced the panel's formation, stating, "The panel, headed by a former UPSC chairman, will submit its recommendations within a week, and the results of these candidates might be revised." Singh emphasized that the grace marks awarded did not impact the qualifying criteria of the exam, and the review will not affect the overall admission process.

Addressing the broader allegations, Singh clarified, "We have analyzed all the things transparently and declared the results. Out of 4,750 centers, the problem was limited to six centers and only 1,600 out of 24 lakh candidates were affected. The integrity of this exam throughout the country was not compromised. We analyzed our system and there was no paper leak."

Several NEET aspirants had raised concerns about the inflation of marks, which they alleged led to a record number of top-ranking candidates. Despite these allegations, the NTA has maintained that changes made in the NCERT textbooks and the awarding of grace marks for time lost at examination centers were among the reasons for higher scores this year.

The Ministry of Education's press conference aimed to address these concerns and reassure stakeholders of the exam's fairness and transparency. The newly formed grievance redressal committee will thoroughly analyze the grievances raised by candidates and ensure all issues are resolved fairly.

As the controversy continues to unfold, the education ministry's swift action to review the results and address the grievances is seen as a crucial step in maintaining the credibility of the NEET UG examination process.