What is NEET-UG controversy all about | Explained

Medical entrance exam NEET-UG with over 24 lakh candidates has become a centre of controversy over allegations of several irregularities. This has triggered protests across the country and a political slugfest.

How the controversy erupted?

This session's entrance exam saw a record number of toppers as 67 candidates secured a perfect score of 720 out of 720. Last year, only two students shared the top rank. This stark contrast raised eyebrows.

What is the reason behind record number of toppers?

In the NEET-UG 2023-24, as many as 1563 candidates were awarded grace marks for various reasons. Out of the 67 toppers, 50 were those who received grace marks which helped them score the perfect marks. 44 toppers were awarded grace marks on account of revision in one Answer Key of Physics due to inconsistencies in NCERT textbooks. Six other candidates got it on account of compensatory marks for loss of time during the exams at various centres. This was done as students from at least six centres had complained they did not get the full 3 hours and 20 minutes to write the exam. The remaining 17 toppers bagged the spot on merit as per the NTA.

Allegations of paper leak

There have been allegations of paper leak too. The Bihar Police last month said that its investigation has revealed that the question papers and answers for NEET-UG were provided to approximately 35 aspirants before the exam. Thirteen individuals have been arrested so far in connection with the case.

NTA's stand on allegations

NTA has rejected the allegations of paper leak and maintained that the sanctity of the exam has not been compromised. It attributed the rise in the number of top scorers to increase in the competitiveness of the exam and increase in performance standards.

Supreme Court ruling

The Supreme Court sided with the NTA and refused to stay the counselling process for admissions. The court was told that the 1563 candidates who received grace marks will have to take retest, the results of which will be declared ahead of the counselling.

Protests and political slugfest

The allegations of paper leak and other irregularities have sparked protests, with many students demanding a retest for all and a thorough investigation. Various opposition political parties, including Congress, DMK and Aam Aadmi Party, have targeted the BJP-led central government over the issue. They have demanded cancellation of the exam and a Supreme Court-monitored probe into it.