NEET UG 2024 Updates: SC asks for clarifications, next hearing on July 11

“The fact that the sanctity of the examination has been breached… compromised, is beyond doubt. Now the question is how widespread is the breach,” Chief Justice of India D Y Chandrachud said while hearing petitions of those seeking as well as those opposing cancellation of the May 5 NEET UG exams over paper leak allegations.

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Following is the chronology of events in the NEET-UG 2024 case in which the Supreme Court on Monday observed that sanctity of the exam is "breached" in view of the question paper leak: 
* May 5: NTA conducted NEET-UG 2024 at 4,750 centres in 571 cities, including 14 cities abroad.
* May 17: SC seeks responses from Centre and NTA on plea alleging irregularities in NEET-UG 2024 held on May 5.
* June 4: Results for NEET-UG 2024 declared, 67 candidates bagged top rank.
* June 11: Observing that sanctity of NEET-UG 2024 has been affected, the SC sought responses from the Centre and the NTA on a plea seeking holding of a fresh examination on grounds of alleged question paper leak and other malpractices.
* June 13: Centre tells SC it has cancelled grace marks given to 1,563 candidates who took the NEET-UG examination for admission to MBBS and other such courses. Centre says they will have the option to either take a re-test or forgo the compensatory marks awarded to them for loss of time.
* June 14: SC sought responses from the Centre and the NTA on a plea seeking a CBI probe into allegations of question paper leak and other irregularities in NEET-UG 2024.
* June 18: SC said even if there was "0.001 per cent negligence" on the part of anyone in the conduct of the NEET-UG 2024 examination, it should be thoroughly dealt with.
* June 23: As many as 813 of the 1,563 candidates who were earlier awarded grace marks in NEET-UG appeared for a re-test, officials said.
* July 1: Number of candidates sharing top rank in medical entrance test NEET-UG reduced to 61 from 67 as the NTA announced revised results.
* July 5: Scrapping NEET-UG 2024 exam in entirety would "seriously jeopardise" lakhs of honest candidates and not be rational in the absence of any proof of large-scale breach of confidentiality, the Centre told the SC.
* July 11: NTA tells SC that cancellation of NEET-UG 2024 would be hugely counterproductive and significantly harmful to the larger public interest, especially to the career prospects of those who cleared it. 

-- PTI

The Supreme Court also directed the Centre, the NTA and the CBI to file their affidavits by 5 pm on July 10 and share these with the petitioners as well.

The Supreme Court fixed July 11 as the next date of hearing and said it would decide on the merits after the government, the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI), and the National Testing Agency (NTA), file their response to its queries. The NTA conducts the NEET UG exams and the CBI has been probing cases linked to the alleged leaks.

Observing that self-denial is only adding to the problem, the Supreme Court on Monday said it was clear a leak has taken place in the NEET UG 2024 examination, but ordering a retest depends on whether the alleged breach was at a systemic level and affected the integrity of the entire process, and whether it was possible to segregate the beneficiaries of the fraud from untainted students.

“The fact that the sanctity of the examination has been breached… compromised, is beyond doubt. Now the question is how widespread is the breach,” Chief Justice of India D Y Chandrachud said while hearing petitions of those seeking as well as those opposing cancellation of the May 5 NEET UG exams over paper leak allegations.

The CJI-led Supreme Court bench, comprising Justices J B Pardiwala and Manoj Misra, said it may be far-fetched for it to presume, unless the government and its agencies point out material to it, that all 23 lakh students or a substantial number of them were involved in the fraud.

According to PTI, the CBI has arrested a person in connection with alleged "manipulation" in the NEET-UG examination in Latur in Maharashtra, taking the total number of arrests by the agency to nine, officials said. The CBI took into custody one Nanjunethappa G in connection with the Latur case which was earlier probed by the Maharashtra Police, they said. It is alleged that two government school teachers in Latur had demanded over Rs five lakh from NEET UG aspirants to ensure their success in the examination, they said.

The NEET UG matter is now placed for hearing on July 11.

The India Youth Front, an umbrella group representing the youth wings of INDIA bloc parties, held a protest at Jantar Mantar in Delhi on Monday against irregularities in competitive exams, including NEET-UG.

Indian Youth Congress (IYC) president Srinivas BV, Samajwadi Yuvajan Sabha chief Fahad Alam, Chhatra Yuva Sangharsh Samiti (CYSS) national in-charge Anurag and other leaders were present at the protest.

STORY | Delhi: India Youth Front holds protest against exam irregularities

READ: https://t.co/xMDVvbjBDq

VIDEO: pic.twitter.com/Hd8Y2pbDFF

— Press Trust of India (@PTI_News) July 8, 2024

The India Youth Front (IYF) demanded the resignation of the Union education minister, dismissal of the National Testing Agency (NTA), and a re-exam of NEET as soon as possible, the IYC said in a statement.

No question that question paper has been leaked, we are determining extent of leak: SC on NEET-UG 2024

Students and parents captured outside Supreme Court in a ray of hope of justice. ( Express Photo by Tashi Tobgyal)

"It will have to be scrutinized whether: (1) alleged breach has taken place at systemic level (2) whether the breach has affected integrity of entire exam process (3) whether it's possible to segregate beneficiaries of fraud from untainted students,' dictates CJI.

Expressing concern over ensuring the sanctity of NEET-UG, the court said it would be necessary for the government to consider setting up a multi-disciplinary team of renowned experts so that such instances are not repeated in future.During the hearing, the bench observed if the sanctity of NEET-UG 2024 is "lost" and if the leak of its question paper has been propagated through social media, then a re-test has to be ordered.It said if the question paper leak was taking place through Telegram, WhatsApp and electronic means, then "it spreads like wildfire"."If the sanctity of the exam is lost, then a re-test has to be ordered. If we are unable to identify those who are guilty, then a re-test has to be ordered," the bench observed."Let us not be in self-denial about what happened," it said, adding, "Assuming that the government does not cancel the exam, what will it do to identify the beneficiaries of the question paper leak?" The apex court was hearing more than 30 pleas related to the controversy-ridden NEET-UG 2024, including those alleging irregularities and malpractices in the May 5 test and seeking a direction to conduct it afresh."There is no question that leak of question paper has taken place. We are determining the extent of the leak," the bench observed.It said there were certain "red flags" as 67 candidates had scored 720 out of 720. "In the previous years, the proportion was very low," the bench added. The top court said it wanted to know how many people benefited from the question paper leak and what actions were taken against them by the Centre."Results of how many wrongdoers have been withheld, and we want to know the geographical distribution of such beneficiaries," it said.The bench is also hearing a separate plea of over 50 successful Gujarat-based NEET-UG candidates seeking a direction to restrain the Centre and the NTA from cancelling the medical entrance exam.The lawyers representing a petitioner started the submissions, saying that they were seeking the cancellation of the exam on grounds such as paper leak, OMR sheet manipulation, impersonation and cheating.The Centre and the NTA, which conducts NEET-UG, recently told the apex court through their affidavits that scrapping the exam would be "counterproductive" and "seriously jeopardise" lakhs of honest candidates in the absence of any proof of large-scale breach of confidentiality.The NTA and the Union education ministry have been at the centre of media debates and protests by students and political parties over alleged large-scale malpractices ranging from question paper leak to impersonation in the test.(ANI)

Observing that a re-test has to be ordered if sanctity of the NEET-UG 2024 is "lost", the Supreme Court on Monday sought information from the National Testing Agency and the CBI about timing of question paper leak and duration between leak and actual test.

The apex court also sought number of wrongdoers identified so far and methodology adopted for the paper leak.

"One thing is clear that leak of question paper has taken place," a bench headed by Chief Justice D Y Chandrachud said, adding that extent of question paper leak and the beneficiaries across geographical boundaries have to be ascertained before the court may order re-test in the controversy-ridden medical entrance exam conducted on May 5.

Posting for July 11 the next hearing on a batch of pleas alleging irregularities in the NEET-UG, the court directed the investigating officer of the CBI, which is conducting probe into the allegations of malpractices, OMR sheet manipulation, impersonation and cheating, to place before it a report indicating the status of probe.

Referring to legal position on ordering re-test, the top court said it will have to be "scrutinised whether the alleged breach has taken place at systemic level, whether the breach has affected integrity of the entire exam process and whether it is possible to segregate the beneficiaries of fraud from the untainted students".

"In a situation where breach affects the entirety of process and it is not possible to segregate the beneficiaries from others, it may be necessary to order a re-test," said the bench, also comprising Justices J B Pardiwala and Manoj Misra.

It said the NTA must disclose about the steps taken so far for identification of beneficiaries of wrongdoings. The bench asked the NTA to apprise it about the steps taken to identify the centres and cities where the question paper leak took place, the modalities followed for identifying the beneficiaries and their numbers ascertained so far.

(ANI)

(1) When the leak of question papers took place

(2) Manner in which papers were leaked/disseminated

(3) Time duration between leak and actual conduct of exam

Congress National Spokesperson Alok Sharma joined the India Youth Front protest against NEET exam scam and paper leak and addressed the youth comrades.

???????? ?? ????????? ???????? @Aloksharmaaicc ??, NEET ??????? ?????? ?? ???? ??? ?? ????? INDIA YOUTH FRONT ?? ????? ???????? ??? ????? ??? ?? ???? ??????? ?? ??????? ????? pic.twitter.com/dT2V06Yp41

— Indian Youth Congress (@IYC) July 8, 2024

Supreme Court says it was apprised that FIRs were registered in Patna, Delhi, Gujarat, Rajasthan, Maharashtra and Jharkhand. Whether the FIR in relation to paper leak is confined to Patna is a matter which requires detailed consideration, says the apex court.

(ANI)

Supreme Court asks how many students' results have been withheld owing to leakage which took place; asks, where are these students - as in their geographical distribution? Are we still finding out the wrongdoers and have we been able to identify the beneficiaries?, asks Supreme Court from government.

Supreme Court also observes that there should be a sort of a multi-disciplinary committee of experts from across the country. 

We are dealing with the most prestigious branch of study and every middle-class person wants their children to study either medicine or engineering, assuming we are not going to cancel the exam, how do we identify the beneficiaries and if we can allow the counselling to happen and what has happened so far, says Supreme Court.

(ANI)

Supreme Court asks what actions the Centre and NTA have taken to identify the beneficiary students of the wrongdoing.

(ANI)

Supreme Court asks that affidavits by NTA, Centre and the CBI be placed on record at 5 pm on Wednesday, 10th July. Supreme Court posts the matter for hearing on July 11.

(ANI)

Supreme Court asks NTA to identify the candidates who benefited from the NEET-UG paper leak. Supreme Court also asked NTA to identify centres/cities where leak took place.

(ANI)

Supreme Court observes that one thing is clear that leak (of question paper) has taken place. The question is, how widespread is the reach? The paper leak is an admitted fact.

(ANI)

The Supreme Court on today's hearing said that if the sanctity of the medical entrance exam NEET-UG 2024 is "lost" and if the leak of its question paper has been propagated through social media, then a re-test has to be ordered.A bench headed by Chief Justice D Y Chandrachud also said if the question paper leak was taking place through Telegram, WhatsApp and electronic means, then "it spreads like wildfire"."One thing is clear that leak of question paper has taken place," the bench, also comprising Justices J B Pardiwala and Manoj Misra, said.

(PTI)

"The matter was heard for about two hours by the CJI bench. After hearing, the court has passed a detailed order, where all the main contentions of the petitioners who are seeking reexamination have been recorded. CBI has been directed to file a status report with the regard to the examination. NTA and Government of India have also been asked to file their status report, detailing as to what steps they have taken to segregate the tainted from the untainted, and further action will be taken on the next date. No interim order has been passed today with regard to counselling," says advocate Narendra Hooda to PTI on Supreme Court hearing NEET case.

VIDEO | NEET-UG Row: “I think today’s verdict was much more positive than the last verdict and it is the most positive thing up till now. CJI (DY Chandrachud) heard us carefully and asked NTA many questions. He said that we should accept that a paper leak took place. If the… pic.twitter.com/smfHGHZ0CA

— Press Trust of India (@PTI_News) July 8, 2024

Supreme Court today directed CBI to submit a report indicating the status of the investigation. Further, the judges have directed the NTA to apprise it of the time duration between the occurrence of the question paper leak and the conduct of the exam on May 5. 

SC directs NTA to apprise it of time duration between occurrence of question paper leak and conduct of exam on May 5. 

The education ministry, in its affidavit filed with the top court only acknowledged that there were “instances of irregularities, cheating, impersonation, malpractices” during the conduct of NEET UG. However, there is no mention of a paper leak. It goes on to state further that “in the absence of any proof of any large-scale breach of confidentiality in a pan-India examination it would not be rational to scrap the entire examination”.

A three-judge bench led by CJI DY Chandrachud said if the question paper leak was taking place through Telegram, WhatsApp and electronic means, then “it spreads like wildfire”. The judges have asked for disclosures from the exam conducting body NTA. The next hearing will take place on July 11.

'In a situation where breach affects entirety of process and it's not possible to segregate beneficiaries from others, it may be necessary to order re-exam,' says CJI.

'Let's not be in self denial, and that is only adding to the problem, because everyone knows there was a leak...' says CJI

(1) when the leak of question papers took place

(2) manner in which papers were leaked/disseminated

(3) time duration between leak and actual conduct of exam

Supreme Court today directed CBI to submit report indicating status of investigation. Further, the judges have directed the NTA to apprise it of time duration between occurrence of question paper leak and conduct of exam on May 5.

Read full report here

'Entire comprehensive result should be now put on website. They are deliberately keeping under wraps, we can't use data science,' demands Counsel.

The NEET UG matter is now placed for hearing on July 11.

'Affidavit by NTA, Union and the one by the CBI shall be placed on record at 5 pm on Wednesday and submitted to the counsel of the petitioners as well,' says CJI.

'If a committee has already been setup, full details should be made available to the court. The court may then consider whether committee should be allowed to proceed or composition should be modified,' says CJI.

'If an exercise is to be conducted by NTA and Union Government, a policy decision will have to be taken by govt on the status of the counselling,' says CJI.

NTA has been asked to make disclosures on the steps taken so far for identification of beneficiaries:

(1) the steps which were taken by NTA to identify centres/cities where leak took place

(2) modalities followed for identifying

(3) number of students who have so far been identified to be beneficiaries

'...We are also of the view that since investigation has been entrusted to CBI, a status report must be filed by the Investigating Officer (IO) indicating the status of investigation upto date and material which has come to light...,' dictates CJI.

NTA has been directed by the CJI to clarify on the basis of information available as on date:

(1) when the leak of question papers took place

(2) manner in which papers were leaked/disseminated

(3) time duration between leak and actual conduct of exam

'In a situation where breach affects entirety of process and it's not possible to segregate beneficiaries from others, it may be necessary to order re-exam,' says CJI.

"It will have to be scrutinized whether: (1) alleged breach has taken place at systemic level (2) whether the breach has affected integrity of entire exam process (3) whether it's possible to segregate beneficiaries of fraud from untainted students,' dictates CJI.

'NTA conducted NEET-UG on May 5, 2024. Results were declared on 4 June, 2024.

From material at present stage, it appears that on 5 May, an FIR was lodged in Patna alleging a leak in the NEET UG 2024 question papers, implicating offences under sections,' CJI dictates

CJI is currently dictating order

The Solicitor General has asked for time till Wednesday to share all details asked by the Supreme Court and next hearing on Thursday.

'Let the CBI file a status report before this Court regarding all FIRs,' demands Counsel 1.

'We will give you a day's time. We want all petitioners' lawyers, asking for a re-test, to give us one set of submissions on Wednesday. We want you all to sit down and give us one consolidated set of submissions not exceeding 10 pages,' says CJI to Counsel 1.

'Can't we run this through the data analytics program in the cyber forensics department to find out, because we have to identify, (a) whether the whole exam is affected, (b) is it possible to identify wrong doers, in which case a re-test can be ordered for those students only,' CJI questions Solicitor General.

'Assuming that we are not going to cancel the exam, what are we going today to identify the beneficiaries of the fraud? What have the govt done so far to identify the beneficiaries?,' says CJI

'Let's not be in self denial, and that is only adding to the problem, because everyone knows there was a leak...' says CJI

'The matter of cancellation of an exam for 24 lakh students is a matter of last resort...,' says CJI.

'The fact that sanctity of the exam has been compromised is beyond doubt. The paper leak is an admitted fact,' says CJI.

'Is it NTA's case that there was no leak? This fact can't be disputed. You don't cancel a whole exam only because 2 students engaged in malpractice. Therefore, we must be careful about the nature of leak. Asking 23 lakh students to reappear for an examination, together with the preparation, travel and dilocation of admission schedule...' added CJI.

'I'm not sure whether we should be doing this...or an expert committee,' says CJI on identifying the red flags of NEET UG and data analysis of the exam result.

The CJI has proposed data analysis to identify the red flags in the conduction of NEET UG 2024 this time, some of which are:

- Not all of those 67 toppers are fraudsters, some of them might be extra-ordinarily smart. But we should see the sudden jump in the number.

- Change in centres is possible: How can students suddenly change exma cities

- If a student has scored exceptionally good in one subject

'If the timeline between the paper leak and the exam day is less, then the retest for a NEET UG may not happen. However, it may make sense if the time gap between the paper leak and the exam is more,' CJI said.

CJI demands dates on when the question papers were drafted and submitted to NTA, what is the custody for sending it to the printing press and when were they sent. He has also quizzed NTA about the transportation of the question paper and the process followed to send it to Canara and SBI Bank.

The NEET UG question paper are sent to the lockers at least 5-6 days before the exam, and are pulled out on the same day as the exam, confirms NTA advocate.