Supreme Court Upholds NEET-UG 2024 Exam, Directs NTA to Address Issues and Reform System

The Supreme Court stated that it did not cancel the NEET-UG 2024 examination despite concerns of a paper leak because it found no systematic breach of its integrity.

The court, composed of Chief Justice DY Chandrachud and Justices JB Pardiwala and Manoj Misra, provided detailed reasons for the order pronounced on July 23. It directed the National Testing Agency (NTA) to cease its inconsistent actions and expanded the mandate of the Centre-appointed panel led by former ISRO chief K Radhakrishnan to assess the NTA’s operations and suggest exam reforms.

The panel is expected to submit its report on various measures to address deficiencies in the examination system by September 30.

Additionally, the court urged the Radhakrishnan panel to consider establishing a standard operating procedure for utilizing technological advancements to enhance the examination system.

The court also called upon the Centre to address the issues that arose during the NEET-UG examination. The top court dismissed pleas seeking cancellation and a re-test of the exam, concluding that there was no evidence to suggest a systemic breach of its integrity.

The interim verdict provided relief to the NDA government and the NTA, which had been under scrutiny due to alleged malpractices in the prestigious test taken by over 23 lakh students.