SC refuses to order NEET-UG retest, says data on record doesn’t indicate ‘systemic leak’

Currently, there is absence of material on record sufficient to lead to conclusion that exam result was vitiated or there was systemic breach in sanctity of the exam, CJI says.

NEET applicants and doctors hold posters and answer sheets while demonstrating a protest at Delhi's Jantar Mantar demanding ReNEET exam | Photo: Manisha Mondal/ThePrint

New Delhi: The Supreme Court Tuesday refused to cancel the 2024 NEET-UG exam, saying that there was no conclusive evidence that the test’s sanctity has been breached.

It further said that ordering a re-examination would lead to serious consequences, affecting over 23 lakh students and results in disruption of the academic schedule.

The apex court has acknowledged the paper leak at the centres in Hazaribagh and Patna, but highlighted the absence of material on the record sufficient to lead to the conclusion of the results of the exam stand vitiated. 

While acknowledging that there was paper leak in the centres in Hazaribagh and Patna, the Court said that there is absence of material on the record sufficient to lead to the conclusion that there is a systemic breach in the sanctity of the exam.

“The data produced on record is not indicative of the systemic leak of the question paper which would lead to the destruction of the sanctity of the exam,” said Chief Justice of India (CJI) D.Y. Chandrachud. 

“At the present stage, there is absence of material on record sufficient to lead to the conclusion that the result of the exam was vitiated, or there was systemic breach in the sanctity of the exam.” 

“Ordering cancellation of NEET-UG examination will not be justified on application of settled tests, framed earlier by the Supreme Court, based on material on record,” the CJI said, while hearing the petitions seeking to cancel the NEET-UG 2024. 

The top court also pointed to a “serious disadvantage to marginalised students” in this regard.

Conducted by the National Testing Agency (NTA), the NEET UG result was held across over 500 cities, besides 14 cities overseas. The results were declared 4 June. ]

“Arguments have been concluded and judgment has been reserved. In the matter like the present, it is imperative that the final conclusions of the court be recorded at the present stage since there is an urgent need to provide certainty and finality to a dispute which affects the career of over 2 million students,” the top court said.

(Edited by Tony Rai)