56 top students file petition in Supreme Court to oppose exam cancellation

Over 50 students who qualified for the NEET 2024 exam, including some of the toppers, have moved the Supreme Court seeking a direction restraining the Centre and the National Testing Agency (NTA) from cancelling the controversial exam. The students have also demanded an inquiry into alleged malpractices such as document leaks and impersonation, and strict action against those involved.

The petition, filed by 56 students through advocate Devendra Singh, comes days before the Supreme Court is scheduled to hear as many as 26 petitions seeking relief and an inquiry into the conduct of the exam. The NEET-UG exam, held on May 5, was marred by allegations of irregularities, leading to protests and political clashes across the country.

The students believe that the re-organization of the exam would be unreasonable and would infringe on their right to education, in violation of Article 14 of the Constitution. They argue that the cancellation of the exam would not only be harsh on honest and hardworking students, but would also result in a violation of their right to equality.

Instead, the students are demanding that the Centre and the NTA identify and punish candidates who adopted unfair means, identify centres where “compromise in the guidelines laid down for NEET-UG 2024 examinations was made” and take appropriate action against them.

The NTA conducts the NEET-UG exam for admissions to MBBS, BDS, AYUSH and other related courses in government and private institutions across the country. This year’s exam was held at 4,750 centres on May 5, with around 24 lakh candidates appearing for it.

The allegations of leaked documents and other irregularities have sparked widespread protests and calls for a review. The issue has also sparked political controversy, with opposition parties targeting the government over the issue.

The Supreme Court’s verdict on July 8 is eagerly awaited by students, parents and the medical education community.

(with contributions from PTI)

Published: Friday, July 5, 2024, 10:16 AM IST