NEET-UG in Turmoil: Allegations, Protests and Political Reactions

The NEET-UG medical entrance exam has come under scrutiny with over 24 lakh candidates affected by allegations of irregularities. Issues include inflated marks, grace mark controversies, and paper leaks. Protests have erupted nationwide, fueling a political debate. Authorities, including NTA, Education Ministry, and the Supreme Court, are under pressure to address these concerns.

The NEET-UG medical entrance exam, taken by over 24 lakh candidates, is mired in controversy due to numerous allegations. The exam is accused of inflated marks, awarding controversial grace marks, and instances of paper leaks. These issues have sparked nationwide protests and a heated political debate. A breakdown follows:

ALLEGED IRREGULARITIES: Accusations have surfaced regarding inflated marks, with 67 candidates achieving perfect scores this year. Allegations include random adjustments of marks and grace marks awarded to compensate for delays at exam centers. Additionally, a paper leak investigation led to the arrest of 13 individuals, pinpointing malpractice in Bihar.

NTA'S RESPONSE: The National Testing Agency (NTA) asserts that the integrity of the exam remains intact, attributing the rise in perfect scores to increased competition. Officials argue that grace marks were awarded to compensate for lost time, using a formula approved by the Supreme Court. The revision of the Physics Answer Key contributed to 44 perfect scores.

POLITICAL AND LEGAL PERSPECTIVES: The Education Ministry has formed an expert panel to investigate the grace marks, while the Supreme Court has refused to halt the counselling process, marking the integrity of the exam as affected. Meanwhile, political parties like the Congress and AAP are demanding a Supreme Court-monitored probe, further fueling the controversy.