Supreme Court asks NTA to disclose NEET-UG paper leak, next hearing on July 11
NEET-UG re-exam: Chief Justice DY Chandrachud said he was reluctant to order a re-exam for nearly 24 lakh students – many of whom come from poor families and are unable to afford to travel to exam centres – unless absolutely necessary.
The Supreme Court on Monday advised caution as it heard petitions seeking a re-examination of the NEET-UG exam held on May 5, the results of which were released last month and were marred by leaked questions and the awarding of ‘grace marks’ or preference marks to 1,563 students.
The court said certain circumstances – particularly “(if) the time gap between the leak and the exam is limited” – would argue against a re-examination. “If the students were asked to memorise (the leaked questions) on the morning of the exam, the leak would not have been so extensive…” the court said this morning.
A three-judge bench headed by Chief Justice DY Chandrachud said it was therefore not appropriate to order a re-examination for nearly 24 lakh students – many of whom come from poor families and are unable to spend money to travel to exam centres – unless it was necessary. It said a re-examination was the “last option”.
“Sanctity of exam compromised”: Court
“One thing is clear…the questions were leaked. The sanctity of the exam has been compromised…there is no doubt about that. Now we have to find out what is the extent of the leak,” the Chief Justice said, adding, “We must exercise caution when requesting a second examination.Thousands of students’ careers are on the line.”
