NEET-UG: SC questions feasibility of solving 180 questions in 45 minutes amidst paper leak allegations
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The Supreme Court examined several petitions calling for a re-test or cancellation of the 2024 NEET-UG, the entrance exam for undergraduate medical courses, amid allegations of a paper leak.
The court expressed skepticism over the Centre and the National Testing Agency’s (NTA) stance that the paper leak occurred only 45 minutes before the exam started in certain centers.
Chief Justice DY Chandrachud, leading the bench, questioned whether all 180 questions could realistically be solved within such a short timeframe, considering the exam commenced at 10.15 am. Solicitor General Tushar Mehta, representing the NTA, responded that a group of seven individuals divided the questions among themselves to expedite the process.
The 2024 NEET-UG exam, held on May 5 and attended by nearly 24 lakh aspiring medical professionals, has faced significant scrutiny over claims of leaked question papers and improperly awarded grace marks.
According to Mehta, a CBI investigation revealed that an unauthorised individual took photographs of the question papers between 8 am and 9.20 am at a centre in Hazaribagh, Jharkhand.
“The hypothesis that within 45 minutes there was a breach and the entire paper was solved and given to students seems very far-fetched,” remarked Chief Justice Chandrachud.
Reports suggest that these leaked questions were solved and provided to students who had allegedly paid the gang for answers. The bench, which also included Justices JB Pardiwala and Manoj Misra, emphasised the urgency of the hearing due to its “social ramifications” and the large number of students awaiting the outcome.
