The National Testing Agency (NTA) has been drawn into a legal challenge regarding the NEET-UG 2024 examination. The controversy stems from a physics question that reportedly had two correct answers. A candidate petitioned the Supreme Court, arguing that this ambiguity led to her leaving the question unattempted to avoid negative marking, thereby affecting her rank and results.
Background of the Case: The petitioner’s contention revolves around the presence of two correct answers in a multiple-choice question, which she claims goes against the examination's established guidelines. According to her plea, this discrepancy not only created confusion but also impacted her performance, as she opted to leave the question unanswered to avoid the risk of negative marking. The petition sought a revision and republishing of the NEET-UG 2024 results, ranks, and percentiles based on corrected marks, or alternatively, a fresh examination.
NTA's Arguments: In its defense, the NTA cited a specific instruction from the NEET-UG 2024 information bulletin, which stated that if more than one option is found to be correct, four marks would be awarded to candidates selecting any of the correct options. The NTA argued that this instruction was clear and had been consistently applied in previous exams. Thus, the claim that the candidate was unfairly disadvantaged was deemed untenable.
Details of the Contested Question: The issue arose from differences between old and new editions of the NCERT textbook, leading experts to conclude that two answers were indeed correct. This situation was highlighted when the NTA opened a window for candidates to challenge the provisional answer keys, resulting in 13,373 challenges to one particular physics question. The NTA upheld the challenges and accepted both answers as correct, adhering to the predetermined guidelines mentioned in the information bulletin.
Court Proceedings: The matter was brought before the Supreme Court in the case titled Vanshika Yadav v. Union of India. The petitioner argued for the NEET-UG 2024 exam to be conducted afresh due to alleged malpractices and a reported paper leak. The Supreme Court, led by Chief Justice DY Chandrachud, issued a notice on the petition but clarified that the results of the nationwide exam could not be stayed. The case was scheduled for further hearing in July 2024.
Government’s Position: The Union Government also filed an affidavit opposing the cancellation of the exam. The Ministry of Education argued that there was no substantial evidence of a large-scale breach of confidentiality that would justify scrapping the entire exam. The government emphasized the importance of maintaining the integrity of the examination process, considering the significant number of honest candidates whose future would be jeopardized by such a drastic measure.
Legal and Educational Implications: This case underscores the critical importance of clear communication and adherence to examination guidelines. The NTA’s approach to handling challenges to the answer keys, including the acceptance of multiple correct answers when justified, demonstrates a commitment to fairness and transparency. However, it also highlights the potential for discrepancies and ambiguities in standardized testing, which can have profound implications for candidates' academic and professional futures.
Conclusion: The NEET-UG 2024 controversy reflects broader challenges in the administration of large-scale competitive exams. As the case progresses, it will offer valuable insights into the legal standards for educational assessments and the mechanisms in place to address discrepancies. The Supreme Court’s final decision will likely have a significant impact on future examination protocols and the protection of candidates' rights.
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