Supreme Court Rules Against NEET Re-Test: No Fresh Exam for 2024

New Delhi: The Supreme Court has concluded its hearing in the National Eligibility cum Entrance Test – Undergraduate (NEET UG) case and delivered its verdict. The decision is clear: there will be no re-test for the NEET UG 2024 exam. Let’s delve into the details:

Background and Verdict

• The Case: The NEET UG 2024 exam faced controversy due to localized leaks of the question paper. As a result, concerns arose about the integrity of the examination process.
• The Verdict: The Supreme Court, after thorough deliberation, ruled against conducting a fresh NEET UG exam this year. The court cited the absence of data suggesting a “systemic breach” or compromise in the sanctity of the exam. Therefore, the NEET UG 2024 results stand, and there will be no re-examination².

Reasons Behind the Decision

1. Impact on Students: The court recognized that directing a re-test would have serious consequences for the more than 24 lakh students who appeared for NEET UG 2024. It would disrupt the admission process, affect medical education curricula, and potentially harm the availability of qualified medical professionals in the future.
2. Disadvantaged Groups: The court also considered the impact on reserved seats. Conducting a fresh exam would disproportionately affect disadvantaged groups for whom reservation was made in seat allocation.
3. Feasibility Concerns: During the hearing, Chief Justice of India (CJI) DY Chandrachud questioned the feasibility of solving 180 questions and preparing answers within the allotted 45 minutes. This practical concern weighed heavily in the court’s decision¹.

Clean Candidates and Irregularities

• The CJI emphasized that identifying candidates who took advantage of irregularities in the NEET exam is possible. Even if irregularities are discovered later, the admission of such candidates can be canceled.

In summary, the Supreme Court’s verdict ensures that the NEET UG 2024 results remain valid, providing clarity and stability for aspirants and institutions alike. The focus now shifts to the next steps in medical education for the successful candidates.