NEET Controversy: Centre Defends Exam in Supreme Court Amid Protests and Probes

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Amidst the ongoing controversy surrounding the NEET-UG exam, the Centre has submitted an affidavit to the Supreme Court defending its decision not to scrap the exam and hold a retest. The Centre reiterated that there were no large-scale irregularities in the exam, which saw 24 lakh students appearing for it. The government emphasized that scrapping the entire exam would seriously jeopardize the future of honest candidates.

In its affidavit to the Supreme Court, the Centre highlighted that the CBI has been tasked with investigating allegations of breaches like conspiracy, cheating, and impersonation in the exam. The Union of India affirmed its commitment to conducting all competitive exams fairly and transparently.

The affidavit comes at a time when protests have erupted due to irregularities not only in NEET-UG but also in other exams like UGC-NET. The government’s decision to replace the head of the NTA and hand over the probe to the CBI has been met with questions from students and opposition parties.

The Education Minister, Dharmendra Pradhan, has stood by the government’s stance, stating that the career of meritorious candidates, especially those from underprivileged backgrounds, should not be affected by isolated incidents. The government assures that necessary improvements will be made and wrongdoers will face the full force of the law.

The Supreme Court is scheduled to hear a series of pleas related to the NEET-UG exam on July 8. These pleas include demands for a retest and a thorough investigation into the alleged irregularities. The outcome of these proceedings will have significant implications for the NEET-UG 2024 and the overall integrity of the admissions process for medical aspirants nationwide.