Supreme Court Hearing NEET PG Petition
Supreme Court to Hear NEET-PG Plea
Introduction: Petition on NEET-PG Transparency
The Supreme Court of India is set to hear a petition challenging the National Board of Examinations’ (NBE) refusal to disclose the question paper, answer keys, and response sheets for the National Eligibility-cum-Entrance Test for Postgraduate (NEET-PG) 2024. The petition raises concerns about the transparency and fairness in the conduct of the exam, which was held on August 11, with results announced on August 23.
The petition, filed through advocate Parul Shukla, argues that the NBE’s decision to withhold these critical documents violates the principles of transparency and fairness as enshrined under Article 14 of the Indian Constitution. The Supreme Court will resume hearing the case on September 20, 2024, with a bench headed by Chief Justice D.Y. Chandrachud.
Supreme Court Hearing and Key Concerns
The NEET-PG exam is a crucial national examination that determines medical students’ eligibility for postgraduate medical courses. Given its high stakes, the petition has garnered significant attention. The petitioners claim that without access to the question paper, answer keys, or response sheets, students have no way to verify their performance or check the accuracy of the results provided.
The Supreme Court bench, also comprising Justices J.B. Pardiwala and Manoj Misra, agreed to examine the issues raised in the petition and asked the petitioner to serve a copy of the plea to the NBE. The petitioner asserts that the NBE’s conduct in handling NEET-PG 2024 lacked transparency, as students were not provided with key information that would allow them to challenge any discrepancies in their scores.
Lack of Transparency in NEET-PG Results
According to the petition, the NEET-PG 2024 results released on August 23 failed to provide essential details that had previously been shared with candidates. In prior years, candidates received not only their total scores but also the number of correctly and incorrectly attempted questions. This year, however, students were only given a scorecard, leaving them unable to assess their performance accurately.
The petitioner argued that this approach is arbitrary and lacks fairness, going against the principles of transparency and fairness mandated by Article 14 of the Constitution. The petition also highlighted that NEET-PG is a multidisciplinary exam where a candidate’s rank determines their ability to opt for specific courses and specializations. Even a slight variation in marks could significantly impact a candidate’s ability to pursue their desired field.
Issues with Multiple Shifts and Exam Conduct
Another key issue raised in the petition is the change in the exam’s structure. The NEET-PG 2024 was held in two shifts, a significant departure from previous years when it was conducted in a single shift on a single day. The petitioner argued that this shift undermines the uniformity and fairness of the exam, as conducting the test in multiple shifts could lead to variations in the difficulty level, thereby affecting students’ marks and rankings.
The plea emphasized that NEET-PG is a high-stakes examination, and any discrepancies in the process could have lasting consequences for candidates’ futures. To maintain the integrity of the examination, the petitioner urged the Supreme Court to ensure that a clean, transparent, and fair system is implemented, allowing the best candidates to succeed based on merit.
Previous Supreme Court Ruling on NEET-PG
In August 2024, the Supreme Court had previously refused to entertain a plea seeking the postponement of the NEET-PG 2024 exam. The plea argued that the allocation of exam centers in inconvenient locations was a significant issue for some candidates, making it difficult for them to reach their assigned centers. It also questioned the normalization formula for the different sets of question papers, suggesting that the process lacked transparency.
However, a bench headed by CJI D.Y. Chandrachud dismissed the plea, noting that two lakh students had already prepared for the exam, and halting or rescheduling the exam would jeopardize their careers. The court firmly rejected the notion of rescheduling, stating that the interests of a few petitioners could not outweigh the futures of a vast number of students.
Conclusion: The Fight for Transparency Continues
As the Supreme Court resumes hearing the current petition on September 20, the focus remains on ensuring transparency and fairness in the conduct of NEET-PG 2024. The petitioners are calling for the disclosure of question papers, answer keys, and response sheets to guarantee that students can verify their results and trust the examination process. The outcome of this hearing could have a lasting impact on future exams, shaping the standards of transparency and accountability for competitive tests in India.
Disclaimer: The information provided in this article is for informational purposes only and is based on publicly available details. It should not be considered as legal or professional advice.