In a major development regarding the ongoing controversy surrounding the National Eligibility cum Entrance Test (NEET-UG) 2024, the central government has informed the Supreme Court of its decision to cancel the grace marks awarded to 1,563 candidates. These students will now be given the option to either accept their original scores, without the compensatory marks, or appear for a re-examination scheduled for June 23. This move aims to address widespread allegations of irregularities and restore fairness to the competitive medical entrance examination process.
The Heart of the Controversy
The dispute erupted shortly after the National Testing Agency (NTA) announced the NEET-UG 2024 results. Concerns were raised over an unusually high number of candidates—67 in total—achieving a perfect score of 720/720. Petitions were filed across various courts citing alleged paper leaks and the arbitrary awarding of grace marks. Students and parents pointed out that some candidates received scores of 718 or 719, which is statistically improbable under the exam’s marking scheme, further fuelling suspicions of malpractice and procedural flaws in the evaluation process.
NTA’s Grace Marks Explanation
The NTA initially defended its position by stating that grace marks were awarded to 1,563 students to compensate for the loss of time experienced at certain examination centres. The agency explained that this decision was based on a formula established by a Supreme Court judgement from 2018. However, this explanation failed to satisfy the aggrieved students and educational experts, who questioned the transparency and application of the formula. The lack of a clear methodology for awarding these marks became a central point of contention in the legal challenges that followed.
Supreme Court Intervenes
Responding to multiple petitions, the Supreme Court took a firm stance, emphasising that the “sanctity of the examination has been affected” and that it requires a thorough explanation. While the court did not halt the counselling process for medical college admissions, it issued a notice to the NTA, demanding answers regarding the numerous allegations. The court’s intervention put significant pressure on the government and the NTA to take corrective measures to ensure the integrity of the examination is upheld and that no student is at a disadvantage.
The Government’s U-Turn
Following the court’s observations, a high-powered committee was formed to review the issue of grace marks. Based on the committee’s recommendations, the Centre and the NTA decided to withdraw the compensatory scores. The government’s counsel informed the Supreme Court that the decision was made to “allay the fears of the students.” This U-turn is seen as a crucial step towards addressing the grievances of thousands of aspirants who felt the process was unfair and compromised.
What Lies Ahead for Students?
The 1,563 candidates affected by this decision now face a choice. They can either sit for a re-test on June 23 or proceed with the admission process based on their actual scores without the added grace marks. The results of the re-test will be declared before June 30, ensuring that the nationwide counselling schedule, set to begin in July, is not disrupted. However, the broader issue of alleged paper leaks and other irregularities remains under judicial scrutiny, with the Supreme Court scheduled to hear related petitions in the coming weeks.