The Centre informed the Supreme Court on Thursday that it has decided to cancel the scorecards of 1563 NEET-UG 2024 candidates who were awarded grace marks. These students will be notified of their actual scores without the grace marks and given the option to take a re-examination.
The re-test is likely to be held on June 23, with results expected before June 30, according to the National Testing Agency (NTA). Students who opt out of the re-examination will have their results based on the original exam held on May 5. The counselling process is set to begin on July 6.
Previously, the Education Ministry established a four-member panel to review the grace marks awarded to over 1,500 candidates in the NEET-UG medical entrance exam. This decision follows allegations of mark inflation that also led to 67 candidates sharing the top rank. Several NEET aspirants claimed that mark inflation caused a record 67 candidates, including six from the same exam center, to achieve the top rank. The NTA, however, denied any irregularities. They attributed the high scores to changes in the NCERT textbooks and the awarding of grace marks for time lost at examination centers.
The Supreme Court, while hearing a petition seeking cancellation of the exams amid allegations of NEET-UG paper leak, said on Tuesday that the exam “sanctity has been affected” and sought answers from the NTA and the Centre.