The National Testing Agency (NTA) conducted a re-examination for 1,563 candidates who had been awarded grace marks in the NEET-UG exam. The re-exam took place on Sunday, from 2 pm to 5:20 pm, following suspicions of irregularities during the initial test held on May 5.
Re-Examination Attendance:
- Total Eligible Candidates: 1,563
- Total Candidates Appeared: 813
State-wise Attendance:
- Chandigarh:
- Eligible: 2
- Appeared: 0
- Chhattisgarh:
- Eligible: 602
- Appeared: 291
- Haryana:
- Eligible: 494
- Appeared: 287 (58%)
- Meghalaya:
- Attendance Rate: 50.43%
- Gujarat:
- Eligible: 1
- Appeared: 1
Context and Background:
- Initial Exam Date: May 5
- Initial Candidates: Approximately 24 lakh
- Results Announcement: June 4
- Suspicions Raised: 67 students scored 720, a record in NTA history, with notable irregularities at a centre in Faridabad, Haryana.
Allegations and Reactions:
- Allegations of question paper leaks in states like Bihar.
- Protests erupted in several cities.
- Multiple petitions filed in various high courts and the Supreme Court.
Government Actions:
- Director General Removal: NTA Director General Subodh Singh was removed.
- CBI Involvement: The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) is now probing the irregularities.
- Ministry of Education’s Response:
- Formation of a seven-member panel to review NTA’s functioning.
- The panel is tasked with recommending exam reforms.
- The CBI has registered an FIR regarding the alleged irregularities.
Importance of NEET-UG: NEET-UG is a crucial exam for admissions to MBBS, BDS, AYUSH, and related courses in government and private institutions.
Next Steps: The focus remains on ensuring fairness and maintaining the integrity of the NEET-UG exam process. The seven-member panel’s review and the CBI investigation aim to uncover the extent of the irregularities and suggest reforms to prevent future issues.