On June 13, Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan dismissed the allegations of NEET-UG paper leak and said that there is no evidence to prove anything like that. He further added that it’s through this government initiative that no student is disadvantaged.
National Testing Agency (NTA) declared the results for National Eligibility-cum-Entrance Test-Undergraduate (NEET-UG) on June 4.
“There is no evidence of paper leak in NEET-UG. NTA corruption charges are baseless; it’s a highly credible institution. The body administers tests for over fifty lac school kids every year plus higher education level exams.” Mr. Pradhan after assuming office as the Minister of Education of India for the second occasion told journalists.
It came on a day when NTA told the Supreme Court that its decision to award grace marks to 1,563 candidates in NEET UG for MBBS, BDS and other courses admissions has been cancelled and they would be given an option to appear for a re-test on June 23rd.
“If these candidates do not want to sit for the retest, then their previous marks will solely count without considering the grace marks with respect to results. Those grace marks earlier awarded were not out of whims of NTA but depended on computations by Supreme Court hence basing it on those calculations.” There are some discrepancies which will be rectified and we will make sure none is at disadvantage,” Mr. Pradhan stated.
The NTA has received criticism due to alleged malpractices during medical entrance examination especially manipulation of scores.
Education Ministry last week constituted a four-member committee whose mandate was to review 1563 cases where students were credited with “grace” marks so as they compensate them for time loss resulting from delay in commencement of exams at certain centres.”
“The panel was headed by former UPSC (Union Public Service Commission) chairman Pradeep Kumar Joshi and included the National Medical Commission (NMC) secretary, besides others. The panel critically considered each and every complaint before making its recommendations.” Mr. Pradhan said.
On June 11, the Supreme Court observed that NEET-UG, 2024 has lost its sanctity, a claim denied by NTA.
However, on admissions counseling processes in colleges the Supreme declined to give an injunction.
“The result of the re-test will be announced on June 30th while counselling for admission into MBBS/BDS and other courses will commence from July 6th” it added.
