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On June 18, a vacation bench of the Supreme Court reiterated its stance on addressing allegations surrounding the National Testing Agency (NTA), particularly in light of recent controversies surrounding the NEET-UG medical entrance exams. Justices Vikram Nath and SV Bhatti emphasized the necessity of thorough scrutiny, stating that even the slightest negligence, amounting to 0.001 per cent, must be addressed diligently.
During the hearings, Justice Bhatti highlighted a critical perspective: he urged that the matters being discussed should not be treated merely as legal disputes, but rather as crucial issues that affect the integrity of the entire examination system. His concern was particularly focused on the serious consequences of fraudulent practices within this framework. Justice Bhatti expressed apprehension that individuals who engage in deceitful activities could potentially enter the medical profession, undermining its standards and posing risks to public health and trust in medical practitioners. His emphasis underscored the broader societal impact and ethical implications associated with maintaining honesty and fairness in examinations, especially those as pivotal as medical entrance tests.
Advocate Kanu Agarwal, speaking on behalf of both the Centre and the National Testing Agency (NTA), emphasized their strong commitment to openness and responsibility during the court proceedings. He advised against making premature judgments until they had formally responded to the petitions filed against them. Justice Bhatti supported this viewpoint, stressing the agency’s obligation to uphold reliability and instill trust among the public. He emphasized the importance of promptly admitting mistakes and outlining corrective measures to strengthen confidence in the NTA’s conduct and operations.
Previously, on June 13, the Supreme Court agreed to cancel the grace marks awarded to 1,563 NEET-UG candidates who faced insufficient exam time. These candidates were provided with an opportunity to take a re-test later in June. The court emphasized the importance of the National Testing Agency (NTA) swiftly addressing issues related to exam administration, especially given the current vacation period.
The Supreme Court took action by issuing notices for pending petitions and arranging additional hearings for July 8, 2024, alongside related cases. It mandated the Centre and NTA to provide their responses within a two-week period, aiming for a comprehensive review of allegations such as inflated scores and paper leaks that have cast doubts on the integrity of the current NEET-UG results.
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