5th May,2024
The National Eligibility-cum-Entrance Test (NEET) for undergraduate medical courses took place on this day. As the primary gateway for medical aspirants in India, the exam witnessed participation from millions of students.
6th May
News of a possible paper leak emerged, creating panic and concern among students and parents. Allegations pointed to localized incidents in cities like Hazaribagh and Patna, raising questions about the exam’s integrity.
6th May – 4th June
During this period, coaching centers and students remained silent publicly while internally evaluating the impact. Students with high scores (700+) began celebrating, though skepticism about the fairness of these scores grew.
4th June
Results were declared, and a staggering 67 students scored perfect ranks, leading to widespread disbelief and allegations of corruption. Many accused these top scorers of buying their ranks.
5th June
The initial celebrations quickly turned into disillusionment. With a high cutoff at 655, many students realized that the leaked papers had significantly skewed the competition.
5th June
The “Justice for NEET” campaign was launched by affected students and their families, seeking a re-examination and a fair resolution to the controversy.
5th June – 20th June
Numerous legal petitions were filed by various groups demanding the annulment of the results and a retest. Media coverage was intense, with debates and discussions on every news channel.
20th June – 23rd July
The frenzy settled as the Supreme Court took up the case. The Court noted that while there were confirmed incidents of leaks, canceling the exam would disrupt the academic schedule of over 23 lakh students. The investigation revealed 155 students might have benefited from the leak, but the Central Bureau of Investigation’s (CBI) probe was still ongoing.
24th July
The Supreme Court dismissed the petitions for canceling the exam, emphasizing the need to maintain the academic calendar and avoid further uncertainty for the majority of students. The Court stressed improving future exam security and identifying those who benefited from the leaks.
Conclusion
The NEET 2024 saga highlighted vulnerabilities in the examination system, prompting calls for stronger measures to ensure fairness and integrity. Despite the controversy, the Supreme Court’s decision aimed to balance the need for justice with the practical implications for millions of students. The affected students continue to seek justice, hoping for reforms that prevent such incidents in the future.
