Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan on Tuesday (July 23) praised the Supreme Court’s ruling on the NEET-UG matter, saying that truth has triumphed. Pradhan also announced that the National Testing Agency (NTA) will announce the final results of the medical entrance exam within two days.
Pradhan confirmed that the NTA would release the final NEET-UG results within 48 hours and mentioned that the exam’s merit list would be adjusted in line with the Supreme Court’s observations.
Education Minister on SC’s NEET UG decision
“‘Satyamev Jayate’. Truth has prevailed,” Pradhan stated during a press briefing, welcoming the court’s stance. The Education Minister also underscored a firm stance on exam irregularities, stating, “Anyone found involved in exam irregularities will face consequences. We have zero tolerance for breaches; maintaining the integrity of exams is paramount for us.”
“The apex court dismissed the pleas seeking cancellation and re-test of the 2024 NEET-UG, holding that there was no evidence on record to conclude that the sanctity of the exam has been violated. Today’s verdict on NEET-UG will put speculation to rest and provide relief to lakhs of hardworking and honest students,” Pradhan said.
“The judgement will open the eyes of those who rubbished the Indian examination system and grabbed this opportunity for vested interests, scoring political brownies and stoking ‘civil unrest and anarchy’. They should apologise for playing with the sentiments of lakhs of students and their parents as well as for trying to gain political mileage out of it,” he said at a press conference.
SC refuses to cancel exam
The Supreme Court rejected petitions seeking the cancellation and re-test of the controversial 2024 NEET-UG, asserting that there was no evidence to suggest the exam was compromised due to systemic breaches in its integrity.
This interim decision, to be followed by a detailed order, provided significant support to the BJP-led NDA government and the National Testing Agency (NTA), both under intense criticism and facing protests regarding alleged malpractices such as question paper leaks, fraud, and impersonation during the exam held on May 5.
He reiterated the government’s commitment to maintaining exam sanctity, stating that any breaches would not be tolerated. Criticising the opposition, Pradhan accused them of attempting to foment “anarchy and civil unrest” over the NEET issue.