Supreme Court Grants Additional Time for Expert Panel’s Report on NEET-UG Reforms
On October 21, 2024, the Supreme Court of India extended the deadline for a seven-member expert panel tasked with evaluating and recommending reforms for the National Eligibility cum Entrance Test for Undergraduates (NEET-UG). This extension grants the panel an additional two weeks to finalize its report on the functioning of the National Testing Agency (NTA), which is responsible for administering the examination.
During the hearing, Solicitor General Tushar Mehta, representing the Central Government, informed the bench led by Chief Justice D.Y. Chandrachud that the initial deadline for submitting the report was approaching. The bench, which included Justices J.B. Pardiwala and Manoj Misra, acknowledged the progress made by the panel and approved the request for an extension, recognizing that the report was nearly complete.
In earlier sessions, the Supreme Court had raised significant concerns regarding the NTA’s operational procedures, particularly related to security breaches that could threaten the integrity of the NEET-UG. The court specifically highlighted a troubling incident at an examination center in Hazaribagh, Jharkhand, where unauthorized personnel accessed sensitive examination materials. Other issues included the improper transportation of question papers using e-rickshaws and the distribution of incorrect question paper sets to candidates.
The expert committee, comprising members such as Radhakrishnan, Randeep Guleria, B.J. Rao, Ramamurthy K., Pankaj Bansal, Aditya Mittal, and Govind Jaiswal, has been charged with addressing these issues comprehensively. The Supreme Court has expanded the committee’s mandate to not only include examination security and administrative processes but also to focus on data security and technological improvements in the examination system.
Furthermore, the court decided against annulling the NEET-UG 2024 exam, citing a lack of substantial evidence indicating systemic leaks or any form of malpractice that could compromise the examination’s integrity. This ruling is intended to uphold the credibility of the NEET-UG as the expert panel continues its critical work in reforming the examination framework.
As the new deadline approaches, stakeholders in the education sector and prospective medical students are keenly observing how the panel’s findings will influence the future of NEET-UG and the broader examination landscape in India.
