SC rules out cancellation of NEET-UG, says no data on systemic breach

New Delhi, NT Bureau: In a major setback to unsuccessful aspirants of NEET-UG 2024, Supreme Court on Tuesday dismissed pleas seeking cancellation and re-test of controversyridden exam, holding that there was no evidence on record to conclude that it was “vitiated” on account of “systemic breach” of its sanctity.

The interim verdict, to be followed by a detailed and reasoned order, came as a shot in the arm for embattled NDA government and the National Testing Agency (NTA), which were facing strong criticism and protests, on streets and in Parliament, over alleged large-scale malpractices like question paper leak, fraud and impersonation in prestigious test held on May 5.

Over 23 lakh students took up National Eligibility-cumEntrance Test-Undergraduate (NEET-UG) in 2024 for admissions to MBBS, BDS, AYUSH and other related courses.

A bench comprising Chief Justice D Y Chandrachud and Justices JB Pardiwala and Manoj Misra concluded four day-long proceedings where they heard submissions from a battery of lawyers, including Solicitor General Tushar Mehta, appearing for Centre and NTA, and senior advocates Narender Hooda, Sanjay Hegde and Mathews Nedumapra. (PTI)