The NEET UG 2024 exam results have been shrouded in controversy, with concerns over awarded grace marks leading to a Supreme Court intervention. The Central government has informed the court that it will scrap the grace marks granted to 1,563 students and offer them a re-test on June 23rd.
Why the Controversy?
This drama unfolded after a record number of students secured a perfect score (720/720) in the exam, raising eyebrows. The number of toppers this year (67) stood in stark contrast to previous years, where only a handful achieved the feat. Additionally, questions were raised about scores of 718 and 719, deemed mathematically improbable within the exam’s marking scheme.
Grace Marks Awarded and Withdrawn
Investigations revealed that 44 out of the 67 toppers received “grace marks” due to reported time constraints faced by students at specific exam centers in Bahadurgarh (Haryana), Delhi, and Chhattisgarh. The National Testing Agency (NTA), responsible for conducting the exam, clarified that a total of 1,563 candidates, including the toppers, were awarded grace marks to compensate for “loss of examination time.”
Justification for Grace Marks Questioned
The rationale behind awarding grace marks also sparked debate. The NTA claimed a “Grievance Redressal Committee” examined student complaints and awarded marks based on “answering efficiency and time lost” following a Supreme Court judgement in 2018. However, students contested the application of this normalisation process to an exam held on the same day across the nation. Additionally, the lack of prior public disclosure regarding the normalisation process fueled criticism.
Another Controversy: Physics Question and Answer Key Discrepancy
Further muddying the waters, a discrepancy emerged between the official answer key and a question in the physics section. The NTA’s answer key listed Option 1 as correct, while students argued that the previous version of the Class 12 NCERT textbook provided a different answer. In response, the NTA, emphasizing the importance of NCERT textbooks for NEET preparation, decided to award credit to students who chose the option differing from their key.
Re-Test Ordered, Anger Simmers
The Supreme Court, upon hearing the arguments, directed a re-examination for the 1,563 affected students. Those opting out of the re-test will have their results based on their original scores, excluding the grace marks. The re-test results will be declared on June 30th, with counselling for MBBS, BDS, and other medical courses commencing on July 6th.
This controversy extends beyond the grace marks issue. Allegations of a paper leak have further fueled student anger nationwide. The opposition Congress party has demanded a Supreme Court-monitored investigation into the entire NEET exam saga, along with the removal of the NTA director general. Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan has refuted these claims, asserting no evidence supports a paper leak and highlighting the NTA’s credibility. The Ministry has assured adherence to the Supreme Court’s decision and a commitment to ensuring no student faces disadvantages.