NEET UG 2024 paper leak was limited to Patna & Hazaribagh: SC's big verdict on re-test

The Supreme Court on Friday pronounced its judgment on the NEET reexamination case, saying that the National Testing Agency should “avoid flip flops” as it doesn’t “look good” as it rejected pleas on re-test.

The court noted that there was no “systematic breach” of the question papers and that the leak was only limited to Bihar’s Patna and Jharkhand’s Hazaribagh.

The three-judge bench headed by CJI DY Chandrachud pronounced its judgment on a bunch of pleas seeking re-examination of NEET-UG 2024 after several irregularities, including the leak of question paper, were reported.

“We have highlighted all the deficiencies in the structural processes of the NTAs, this we cannot afford for the betterment of the students,” the CJI said.

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The verdict comes a day after the CBI filed its first chargesheet naming as many as 13 accused of involving in leaking the National Entrance cum Eligibility Test.

Purpose of Evaluation Committee

Meanwhile, the government has formed an evaluation committee to regulate the examination processes better. The apex court, in its verdict today, laid down its tasks:

• It should recommend strict data protection protocols so that all sensitive info is preserved and protected

• Review the process of allocating exam centres

• Enhance identity checks at various stages, technological innovations to check impersonation and take into account privacy law

• Recommend strict data protection protocols so that all sensitive info is preserved and protected

• Recommend mental health programs for students

‘Carry papers in closed cars’

In its preliminary probe, the Central Bureau of Investigation, tasked with investigating the alleged paper leak case, said that the papers were accessed after the locks of the trunk carrying them were broken.

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The CJI advised NTA to assess the viability of using closed vehicles with real-time locks rather than open e-rickshaws to carry the question papers.

The CBI has seized the tools and CCTV footage of the room where the trunks were kept, they said.

The paper was solved at Hazaribagh on the morning of the examination by a set of seven solvers who are studying MBBS courses at AIIMS Patna, RIMS Ranchi and a Medical College in Bharatpur. The agency has arrested alleged solvers.

“The solved paper was shared with certain selected students who paid money to the accused. All the solvers, who are MBBS students from reputed colleges, have been identified and most of them arrested. These solvers were specially brought to Hazaribagh as part of the conspiracy,” the CBI spokesperson had said.