Author:- Shreya Srivastava, a student at University of Allahabad
The National Eligibility-cum-Entrance Test (NEET) – Undergraduate is the largest admission examination involving significant financial stakes for candidates seeking medical seats, encompassing coaching, admission counselling, and fees. Even before its establishment, NEET faced legal challenges from various powerful lobbies, including state governments, highlighting its substantial societal and financial impact.
Recent NEET (UG) controversies include inflated scores and ranks, discrepancies between NEET and Class 12 scores, issues with the tie-breaking rule, a physics question with two correct answers, the awarding of grace marks for lost time (later rescinded), and the early announcement of results. The primary issue in the NEET 2024 controversy is the inflation of scores and ranks, leading to a top-heavy distribution rather than the desired long-tail distribution. Sixty-one candidates (initially 67 before rescinding grace marks) achieved the top rank with 100% marks, exceeding the number of seats at AIIMS, New Delhi. Additionally, about 22,000 candidates scored above 90%, and 80,000 scored above 83%, equivalent to the seats in government medical colleges in India.
Historically, MCQ-based competitive exams like NEET and JEE (Main) were conducted by the CBSE until 2019 when the National Testing Agency (NTA) took over. The NTA, established as an autonomous testing organization, differentiates itself by focusing on ranking candidates for counselling and seat allocation based on a long-tailed distribution, unlike the CBSE’s short-tailed distribution. The NEET 2024 controversy raises questions about why the exam failed to achieve this precise distribution.
Other common issues in large-scale exams include the disparity between high Class 12 scores and competitive exam ranks. Additionally, issues like questions with multiple correct answers can be managed through standard procedures. Non-subject tie-breaking rules, such as age or application number, are sufficient to resolve ties.
Regarding grace marks for time loss, the Supreme Court’s 2018 judgment for the Common Law Admission Test (CLAT) outlined the procedure, which the NTA initially followed for NEET 2024 before recommending a re-test. The Supreme Court found the NTA’s approach fair and justified.
Despite criticisms, the NTA should be commended for transparency and quick corrections, such as scrapping grace-mark awards. The author of this article notes a decade-long legal battle to ensure transparency in IIT admissions, with many exams now using established SOPs to enhance transparency and accuracy. The NTA itself was established following the author’s proposal.
The main stakeholders of NEET 2024 are the 23 lakh aspirants and the NTA. Secondary stakeholders include the trillion-rupee coaching and counselling industry, both protesting due to unusual score patterns in NEET 2024, leading to multiple litigations and media coverage.
In 2010, the Supreme Court dismissed a public interest litigation challenging IIT admissions, calling the petitioner a “meddlesome interloper.” For NEET 2024, ongoing allegations include paper leaks, cooperative cheating, and issues with exam and coaching centre nexuses, which require investigation.
To prevent recurrence, a constantly upgraded, robust system is necessary to address irregularities and maintain the integrity of examinations and admission processes. As per a 2011 Supreme Court judgment, the selection process must be fine-tuned annually to remain relevant and meaningful.
FAQ
Q1: What is NEET and why is it significant?
A1: The National Eligibility-cum-Entrance Test (NEET) – Undergraduate is India’s largest admission examination for medical seats. It involves significant financial stakes for candidates due to coaching, admission counselling, and fees. NEET plays a crucial role in determining admissions to medical colleges across the country.
Q2: What recent controversies have surrounded NEET 2024?
A2: Recent controversies include:
– Inflated scores and ranks
– Discrepancies between NEET and Class 12 scores
– Issues with the tie-breaking rule
– A physics question with two correct answers
– The awarding and later rescinding of grace marks for lost time
– Early announcement of results
Q3: What is the main issue with the NEET 2024 scores and ranks?
A3: The primary issue is the inflation of scores and ranks, leading to a top-heavy distribution rather than the desired long-tail distribution. This has resulted in a high number of candidates achieving top ranks, which exceeds the number of available seats in premier institutions like AIIMS, New Delhi.
Q4: How did the change from CBSE to NTA impact NEET?
A4: The National Testing Agency (NTA) took over NEET from the Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE) in 2019. Unlike CBSE, which focuses on assigning grades, NTA aims to rank candidates for counselling and seat allocation based on a long-tail distribution. However, NEET 2024 failed to achieve this precise distribution.
Q5: What are some common issues in large-scale exams like NEET?
A5: Common issues include:
– Disparities between high Class 12 scores and competitive exam ranks
– Questions with multiple correct answers
– Managing non-subject tie-breaking rules
– Awarding grace marks for time loss, which was addressed by a Supreme Court judgment in 2018
Q6: How has the NTA addressed criticisms regarding NEET 2024?
A6: The NTA has been commended for its transparency and quick corrections, such as scrapping grace-mark awards. It follows established Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) to handle ambiguities and discrepancies in the examination process.
Q7: Who are the main stakeholders affected by NEET 2024?
A7: The main stakeholders are the 23 lakh aspirants and the NTA. Secondary stakeholders include the coaching and counselling industry, which is a trillion-rupee business. Both groups have protested due to unusual score patterns, leading to litigation and media coverage.
Q8: What steps are necessary to prevent future issues in NEET?
A8: To avoid recurring issues, a robust and constantly upgraded system is needed to counter irregularities and maintain the integrity of examinations. As per a 2011 Supreme Court judgment, the selection process requires periodic fine-tuning to remain relevant and meaningful.
Q9: What is the significance of the Supreme Court’s involvement in NEET-related issues?
A9: The Supreme Court has provided guidelines for awarding grace marks and addressing procedural fairness in competitive exams. It has also dismissed frivolous litigation while ensuring transparency and accuracy in the merit ranking process.
Q10: What unresolved issues still surround NEET 2024?
A10: Unresolved issues include allegations of paper leaks, cooperative cheating, distantly located candidates for specific centres, and nexuses between exam and coaching centres. These issues require investigation by appropriate agencies.
