The Supreme Court of India has scheduled a detailed hearing for multiple petitions advocating for the release of answer keys and question papers from the NEET-PG 2024 exam, which was conducted on August 11. The petitions aim to improve transparency in the National Eligibility cum Entrance Test for Post-Graduation (NEET-PG) process. The request, presented before a bench comprising Justices J B Pardiwala and Manoj Misra, highlights students’ concerns about procedural transparency and last-minute exam pattern changes.
The petitioners, represented by advocate Tanvi Dubey, argued that the National Board of Examinations (NBE) failed to publish an information memorandum or establish a standard operating procedure, leading to confusion among candidates and state authorities involved in the counseling process. They pointed out that the NBE’s decision not to release answer keys or question papers leaves students with no recourse for revaluation or rechecking in cases of score discrepancies, potentially impacting their selection outcomes.
Previously, the Supreme Court expressed concern over the NBE’s sudden pattern change for NEET-PG 2024, noting that such last-minute modifications are “very unusual” and could cause significant distress for students. The Court requested the NBE and the Centre’s response on these matters within a week, emphasizing the need for transparent guidelines.
The petitions further highlighted that NEET-PG 2024’s examination pattern was altered merely three days before the test, splitting it into two parts. Senior advocate Vibha Datta Makhija, also representing the students, pointed out that the absence of a regulatory framework governing exam conduct leaves students reliant on a single information bulletin, which can be modified at any time by the authorities. She argued for the necessity of standardization in test protocols to ensure consistency and fairness for all candidates.
Among the appeals is a petition by Ishika Jain, seeking official disclosure of answer keys, question papers, and the establishment of a grievance portal. The students expressed frustration over the low ranks they received, which they believe were impacted by unexplained score discrepancies between unofficial answer keys and official results announced on August 23. They contend that NBE’s failure to release official answer keys prevents candidates from accurately assessing their performance.
The Supreme Court’s upcoming hearing aims to address these transparency concerns and clarify procedures for future exams. The outcome may set a precedent for greater accountability and uniformity in national exams.
