Supreme Court Orders NTA to Address NEET-UG Exam Issues

On 2nd August, 2024, the Supreme Court directed the National Testing Agency (NTA) to rectify deficiencies in its NEET-UG exam system and improve cybersecurity to prevent paper leaks.

Key Points

Cybersecurity Improvements: The NTA has been instructed to use technology to identify and address cybersecurity flaws to prevent future exam paper leaks.
Avoiding Flip-Flops: The court criticized the NTA for inconsistencies and “flip-flops” related to the NEET exam, which faced issues after the results were declared, impacting students’ interests.
Committee Report: A seven-member committee led by former ISRO chief Dr. K Radhakrishnan has been given until September 30 to report on improvements needed in the exam process. The committee will suggest changes to enhance efficiency.
Guidance Points: The court provided eight points for the committee, including developing standard operating procedures, improving exam centre management, enhancing candidate identity checks, and ensuring secure logistics for transporting question papers.
Limited Leak: The court noted that the leaked papers were limited to Patna and Hazaribagh and expressed satisfaction that there was no systemic breach affecting the overall exam integrity.
Re-Test Decision: The court ruled out a full re-test, acknowledging the leak but concluding there was no evidence of a large-scale breach affecting the exam’s sanctity. It cited the potential severe consequences for students and the admission schedule.
Student Welfare: The Chief Justice emphasized the need for counseling programs and staff training to address students' mental health and manage such issues effectively.