The Supreme Court of India has dismissed a review petition seeking a re-evaluation of its decision from August 2, which declined a request for a fresh NEET-UG 2024 examination. A bench comprising Chief Justice of India (CJI) D Y Chandrachud and Justices J B Pardiwala and Manoj Misra ruled against the review, stating there was no error in the original verdict.
Dismissal of the Review Petition
The review plea was filed by Kajal Kumari, who sought to challenge the earlier judgment. However, the bench, in an order issued on October 22 and made public recently, concluded that there was no mistake that warranted a review under Order XLVII Rule 1 of the Supreme Court Rules 2013.
“There is no error apparent on the face of the record. No case for review under Order XLVII Rule 1 has been established. The review petition is, therefore, dismissed,” the bench stated. Additionally, the court denied a request for an open-court hearing on the matter.
Background of the August 2 Verdict
The initial verdict from August 2 concluded that there was insufficient evidence to prove a systemic leak or malpractice that compromised the integrity of the NEET-UG 2024 examination. The Supreme Court emphasized that it could not order a re-examination without significant material indicating widespread issues.
The court noted, “…sufficient material is not on record at present which indicates a systemic leak or systemic malpractice of other forms. The material on record does not, at present, substantiate the allegation that there has been a widespread malpractice, which compromised the integrity of the exam. To the contrary, an assessment of the data shows there are no deviations which indicate that systemic cheating has taken place.”
Panel Review and Examination Reforms
In addition to dismissing the case for a new examination, the court expanded the remit of a panel led by former Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) Chairman K Radhakrishnan. This committee was tasked with reviewing the operations of the National Testing Agency (NTA), the organization responsible for conducting NEET-UG, and recommending improvements.
The Supreme Court expressed its confidence that this panel would focus on measures to rectify any shortcomings in the examination system. The committee’s findings are expected to contribute to reforms that enhance the fairness and reliability of future examinations.
Concerns Regarding NTA’s Conduct
Although the Supreme Court found no proof of systemic malpractice, it did highlight concerns about the NTA’s handling of the NEET-UG 2024. The court noted that while the issues raised did not prove a widespread compromise, “the manner in which NTA organised the exam” raised “serious concerns.”
The bench underscored the critical responsibility of the NTA, emphasizing that such an institution cannot afford to make errors or take corrective actions only after issues arise. The court directed the NTA to address all concerns raised in the judgment and advised the committee to consider these issues in its recommendations.
The NEET-UG 2024 Overview
The NEET-UG 2024 examination, conducted on May 5, was held for admissions into courses such as MBBS, BDS, and AYUSH programs. The test saw participation from over 23 lakh students across India. Despite the magnitude of the examination, the Supreme Court’s August 2 verdict underscored that no evidence suggested widespread or sophisticated cheating that could undermine the test’s credibility.
Conclusion
The Supreme Court’s decision to reject the review petition reaffirms its stance that there was no substantial evidence to order a fresh NEET-UG 2024 examination. The court’s expanded directive for the panel led by K Radhakrishnan shows a commitment to reforming examination processes, aiming for improved reliability and fairness in future assessments.
