Major Overhaul Expected in NTA Amidst NEET UG 2024 Controversy
NEET UG 2024 : In response to the ongoing controversy surrounding the National Eligibility-cum-Entrance Test-undergraduate (NEET-UG 2024), significant reforms are anticipated within the National Testing Agency (NTA). According to government sources cited by The Times of India, a thorough review of the agency’s operations and exam management practices is currently underway.
To ensure comprehensive and effective changes, the government is considering the formation of a high-level committee tasked with providing strategic recommendations. This potential overhaul aims to address and rectify any issues that have contributed to the current turmoil, thereby restoring confidence in the examination process.
This move signals the government’s commitment to maintaining the integrity and credibility of NEET-UG 2024 , one of the most pivotal exams for aspiring medical students in India. As the review progresses, students, parents, and educators can expect substantial improvements in how the NTA conducts and manages this crucial examination.
NTA faced major backlash from students and parents after releasing NEET-UG 2024 results on June 4. Several legal challenges emerged, focusing on three main issues: the allocation of grace marks to some students, allegations of a leaked question paper, and suspected irregularities at certain exam centers.
The NEET-UG exam controversy sparked nationwide concerns, with NTA granting grace marks to 1563 students. Kerala Students Union protested, urging an investigation into the irregularities.There have been calls for a thorough investigation and a possible exam retake.
The NEET UG 2024 exam, a gateway for admission to undergraduate medical courses in India, sparked controversy across the country since it took place on May 5 in 571 cities and the National Testing Agency (NTA) granted grace marks to 1,563 students. The results were announced on June 4. Since then, students, parents, and teachers have raised concerns over the issue.
A senior government official told ToI, “The matter is currently in the courts. The education ministry and NTA are also examining the details. However, once the issue is resolved based on the investigations and court orders, significant reforms will be initiated in all aspects of conducting these crucial examinations.” The official added that a committee is likely to be formed by the ministry of education to recommend these reforms.
Here are top updates on NEET UG row,
Student unions started conducting a protest rally on Tuesday from Himayat Nagar to the Ambedkar statue, Tankbund, in Hyderabad, against the controversy surrounding the NEET 2024 exam results.
“The process of forming a law over this is underway. In Bihar, instructions have been given to take action against those who are involved in this matter,” Bihar Deputy CM Samrat Choudhary told media persons about the NEET issue.
“If any officials, including senior functionaries of NTA, are found guilty, they will not be spared, and strong action will be taken against them,” the minister said while advocating for reforms in the NTA.
The Economic Offences Unit (EOU) of Bihar Police has seized six post-dated cheques suspected to have been issued to a mafia group, demanding payments exceeding ₹30 lakh from each candidate in exchange for allegedly leaked NEET question papers prior to the exam last month.
So far, the EOU has arrested 13 people, including four examinees and their family members, in connection with the alleged NEET-UG 2024 paper leak case. According to police, all the accused belong to Bihar.
8) The matter reached the Supreme Court, which expressed concern over the integrity of the NEET exam. The NTA told the top court that the scorecards of 1563 candidates who got “grace marks” in the 2024 National Eligibility-cum-Entrance Test (undergraduate) exam will be cancelled, and the candidates will have a chance to reappear for the exam.
Supreme Court Takes Decisive Action on NEET-UG 2024 Allegations
In a landmark move, the Supreme Court on Tuesday issued a notice and demanded responses from the National Testing Agency (NTA) and the Centre regarding serious allegations of paper leaks and malpractices in the NEET-UG 2024 examination. This proactive step underscores the court’s commitment to ensuring the integrity and fairness of one of India’s most crucial entrance exams.
The court’s stern observation, “If there is 0.001% negligence on the part of anyone it should be thoroughly dealt with,” highlights its zero-tolerance policy towards any form of misconduct that could jeopardize the future of aspiring medical students. By seeking detailed explanations, the Supreme Court aims to hold accountable those responsible and restore faith in the examination process.
This development is a significant reassurance to students and parents alike, emphasizing that any deviation from the standard of excellence expected in NEET-UG will be meticulously scrutinized and addressed. The NTA and the Centre now face the critical task of providing transparent and comprehensive responses to uphold the sanctity of the examination system.
NTA Faces Scrutiny Amid NEET-UG 2024 Controversy: Calls for Reform and Transparency
The National Eligibility-cum-Entrance Test (NEET-UG) 2024, conducted on May 5 across 4,750 centers in 571 cities worldwide, has been mired in controversy due to allegations of irregularities and inflated scores. Concerns have been raised about grace marks awarded to some students and potential mismanagement at exam centers.
Several petitions filed in the high courts of Punjab and Haryana, Delhi, and Chhattisgarh highlighted issues such as loss of exam time, prompting an investigation by the National Testing Agency (NTA). Analyzing CCTV footage from exam centers, the NTA asserted that the integrity of the examination was maintained.
Despite these assurances, allegations persist, particularly concerning the unprecedented number of top-ranked candidates. A record 67 students achieved the highest rank, including six from a single center in Haryana. The NTA attributes this to changes in NCERT textbooks and grace marks granted for lost time during the exam.
Additionally, there were reports of distribution errors at an exam center in Rajasthan, where candidates were handed incorrect question papers. The NTA firmly denied any leaks, stating that all question papers were accounted for and reports of leaks were unfounded.
In the broader context, the NTA’s role in conducting examinations has grown significantly. By November 2023, the agency had registered over 1.23 crore candidates for various exams, making it one of the largest exam-conducting bodies globally. For NEET-UG 2024 alone, over 24 lakh candidates registered, reflecting the exam’s crucial role in shaping the future of aspiring medical professionals.
Beyond NEET-UG, the NTA administers several other major exams, including the Joint Entrance Examination (Main), CUET-UG, National Council of Hotel Management Joint Entrance Exam, and many more, indicating its expansive influence on higher education in India.
Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan addressed the controversy, emphasizing the government’s commitment to reviewing the NEET-UG 2024 incident and implementing necessary reforms. “NTA is evolving and not perfect; we need to strengthen it further. We are concerned about the future of lakhs of young students,” Pradhan told The Times of India.
The government’s proactive stance aims to restore trust in the examination process and ensure the credibility of the NTA, thus safeguarding the academic and professional futures of millions of students across the country
NTA's ambit
NTA conducts some of the most competitive and high-profile entrance exams, including NEET-UG and PG, CUET-UG and PG, and JEE (Main). It also oversees the National Eligibility Test (NET) for UGC, recruitment exams for the Employees’ Provident Fund Organisation, Navodaya Vidyalaya Sangathan, Central Universities, and Military Nursing Service, among others.
Government sources indicate that planned reforms will touch on administrative, operational, and logistical areas, such as exam centers and question papers. Capacity building within the agency is also anticipated.
NEET UG 2024 Hearing Highlights: Re-test of all 1,563 candidates will be held on June 23
NEET UG 2024 Hearing Highlights: The Centre informed the Supreme Court on Thursday that the decision to grant grace marks to 1,563 NEET-UG 2024 candidates for admission to MBBS, BDS, and other courses has been rescinded. These candidates will have the opportunity to opt for a re-test scheduled for June 23.
The court, however, declined to halt the admissions counselling process. If any of the 1,563 candidates choose not to participate in the retest, their previous marks, excluding the grace marks, will be considered for result purposes.
The re-test results will be declared on June 30, and the centre said the counselling for admission in the MBBS, BDS, and other courses will start on July 6.
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