THE JHARKHAND STORY DESK
New Delhi, July 11: The hearing on petitions related to the National Eligibility cum Entrance Test (Undergraduate) (NEET-UG) scheduled for, Thursday, in the Supreme Court has been adjourned for July 18.
The bench, comprising CJI D.Y. Chandrachud, Justice J.B. Pardiwala, and Justice Manoj Misra, stated that the central government and the National Testing Agency (NTA), responsible for conducting NEET-UG, have submitted their affidavits as per the Supreme Court’s instructions issued on July 8.
The bench stated that some of the petitioners’ lawyers have not yet received copies of the affidavits submitted by the central government and the NTA. Consequently, the case has been scheduled for hearing on July 18.
The Supreme Court is hearing several petitions related to NEET-UG 2024, which include allegations of irregularities and misconduct in the exam held on May 5, and requests for directions to conduct a fresh examination.
The CBI has also submitted a sealed envelope containing its investigation report on the NEET paper leak case to the Supreme Court on Thursday. Previously, the NTA had filed its response in the Supreme Court.
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No signs of large-scale malpractice: Centre’s affidavit in SC
The central government informed the Supreme Court that there is no indication of large-scale malpractice in the NEET-UG 2024 medical entrance exam, nor any evidence that a particular group of local candidates was given an advantage.
A total of 67 students scored 720 marks in NEET-UG 2024, which is unprecedented in the history of the National Testing Agency (NTA).
The Centre stated that the data analysis of the NEET-UG 2024 results was conducted by the Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) Madras, and according to the experts’ findings, the distribution of marks followed a bell-shaped curve, which is typical in large-scale exams and indicates no signs of malpractice.
Counselling process to start from third week of July
In an additional affidavit filed in the Supreme Court, the Centre stated that the counselling process for undergraduate seats for 2024-25 will be conducted in four phases, starting in the third week of July.
Distribution of marks is normal: NTA
Meanwhile, the National Testing Agency (NTA), which conducts prestigious exams, also filed a separate additional affidavit in the Supreme Court, stating that it has analyzed the distribution of marks in NEET-UG 2024 at the national, state, city, and central levels.
In its affidavit, the NTA stated that the analysis shows the distribution of marks is completely normal and that there appears to be no external factor affecting the distribution of marks.
The affidavit also provided details about the confidential printing of the question papers, their transportation, and distribution arrangements.
