Supreme Court Acknowledges NEET-UG Question Paper Leak, Deliberates on Retest

The Supreme Court of India confirmed on Monday that the National Eligibility cum Entrance Test (Undergraduate) exam (NEET-UG) held on May 5, 2024, was compromised by a question paper leak. The Bench, led by Chief Justice of India (CJI) DY Chandrachud, along with Justices JB Pardiwala and Manoj Misra, is now deliberating on the necessity of a retest, given the scale and impact of the breach.

"The fact that the sanctity of the exam has been compromised is beyond doubt," remarked CJI Chandrachud. He emphasized the need for a thorough assessment of the extent of the breach before deciding on a retest, as the future of approximately 2.3 million students hangs in the balance.

The Court underscored that the irregularities in the exam process must be acknowledged to address the issue effectively. "Let us not be in self-denial. Self-denial is only adding to the problem," CJI Chandrachud stated.

Parameters for Decision-Making

The Supreme Court outlined specific parameters to determine whether a retest is necessary:

1. Whether the breach occurred at a systemic level.

2. Whether the breach affects the integrity of the entire exam process.

3. Whether it is possible to segregate the beneficiaries of the fraud from untainted students.

If the breach is widespread and segregation of tainted candidates is not feasible, a retest may be ordered. However, if the beneficiaries of the leak are limited and identifiable, a retest might not be required.

Information Sought from NTA and CBI

The Court has directed the National Testing Agency (NTA), which conducted the exam, to provide detailed information on the following:

• The initial occurrence of the leak.

• The method of dissemination of the leaked question papers.

• The time duration between the leak and the exam.

Additionally, the NTA must outline the steps taken to identify the beneficiaries of the leak, the locations where the leak occurred, and the methodologies used to identify those involved. The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) has also been instructed to submit a status report on its investigation into the alleged leak and related malpractices.

Feasibility of Using Data Analytics

The Court sought clarification from the Central government and NTA on the feasibility of using data analytics by the government’s cyber forensics unit to identify suspicious cases and segregate tainted from untainted students. All the required details are to be submitted by July 10, with the next hearing scheduled for July 11.

Arguments from Petitioners and Government

Senior Advocate Hooda, representing some of the petitioners, argued for the cancellation of the exam and a re-exam, highlighting the dissemination of the question paper via Telegram and the unusually high number of students securing full marks this year. In contrast, Solicitor General Tushar Mehta contended that not all irregularities involved paper leaks, citing instances of wrong question papers being given or tampering by a superintendent.

Broader Implications

The Supreme Court emphasized the need for stringent measures to prevent future breaches, noting the prestigious nature of the medical field and the critical role of NEET-UG in the careers of aspiring medical students. CJI Chandrachud highlighted the necessity for an audit to identify systemic failures and ensure robust exam processes.

The Supreme Court's decision will depend on the detailed findings and reports submitted by the NTA, CBI, and Central government, balancing the need for justice with the potential impact on millions of students.

Author: Anushka Taraniya

News writer