Controversy Surrounds NEET Exam Results: Protests and Investigations Underway
New Delhi June 08
A wave of protests has erupted on social media, with medical students calling for the cancellation of the NEET exam held nationwide. Allegations of widespread cheating have surfaced, casting doubt on the integrity of the exam conducted last month. Education analysts and corporate educational institutions are questioning the legitimacy of top ranks being awarded to students from the same exam rooms. Many parents are considering legal action, while Congress leaders Priyanka Gandhi and Mallikarjuna Kharge have urged the central government to address the students’ concerns promptly.
In response to these protests, the National Testing Authority (NTA) has acknowledged the issue, noting that it pertains to six centers and involves 1,600 students. During a press conference, NTA Director Subodh Kumar Singh announced the formation of an expert committee to investigate the matter. The committee’s recommendations will be reviewed by a high-powered panel, with Singh assuring that all issues will be resolved swiftly.
Significant criticism has emerged regarding alleged cheating in the NEET exam, particularly in northern states. Corporate junior colleges have expressed skepticism, citing suspicions about identical top marks being awarded to multiple students in some exam centers. Historically, students from Telugu states have secured top ranks at the national level. However, this year’s results, released by the NTA, show a notable absence of Telugu state students in the top 20. In Telangana, only one student ranked 77th in the general category top 100.
This year, 67 students scored a perfect 720 out of 720, compared to just two students last year. The fact that several students from the same exam room in the northern states achieved perfect scores has fueled further suspicion. Critics argue that this is unlikely to be a coincidence.
The NEET exam, held on May 5th, is a prerequisite for admission to medical courses such as MBBS, BDS, BAMS, and BUMS. This year, 23.33 lakh candidates appeared for the exam, up from 20.38 lakh last year. The number of qualified candidates also increased, with 13.16 lakh qualifying this year compared to 11.45 lakh last year. In Telangana, 77,849 candidates appeared for the exam, with 47,371 qualifying.
The unprecedented number of perfect scores, predominantly from northern states, has led to allegations of unfair practices. Lecturers from corporate colleges argue that marks just below 720, such as 717, 718, and 719, are improbable. The NTA is rumored to have awarded grace marks to avoid such discrepancies, but no official statement has been issued. This has left students and parents from Telugu states questioning the fairness of the process, with some parents contemplating legal action over the 7alleged cheating and grace marks.
The discovery that seven or eight students from a single exam room in Haryana scored 720 out of 720 has intensified suspicions. While Andhra Pradesh students achieved perfect scores, similar marks in other states, particularly in the North, have raised eyebrows. The NTA has yet to provide a formal explanation for these anomalies.
NEET Exam Result Controversy: Government of India Responds
Subodh Kumar Singh, Director General of the National Testing Agency (NTA), has announced that a four-member committee will be established to investigate the discrepancies surrounding the NEET exam results.
Key Points from Subodh Kumar Singh’s Statement:
- Committee Formation: A four-member committee will be set up to address the issues. The committee will examine the demands for a retest and compensation of marks.
- Training and Protocols: The NTA will enhance its training and protocols to prevent future occurrences of such discrepancies.
- Revisiting Marks: The committee will review the marks. Recommendations are expected within a week.
- Grace Marks Controversy: Singh explained that grace marks were given based on the “loss of time” criteria to compensate the students. The new committee may issue revised results.
- Frequent Meetings: The committee will meet frequently to reach a conclusion within a week, ensuring the overall admission process is not delayed.
- Review of Results: The marks and results of 1,600 students will be re-examined by the committee.
- Result Date Confusion: Singh clarified that the NTA had no specific date to announce results in previous years. This year, an outer date was set as a target, which could be adjusted accordingly. The NTA has nothing to hide regarding the result dates of June 4th or June 14th.
- Possibility of Retest: The decision to re-conduct the exams will depend on the committee’s recommendations.
