The National Testing Agency (NTA) reported that a substantial number of candidates who were awarded grace marks in the NEET-UG exam chose not to appear for the re-test held on Sunday. Out of the 1,563 candidates eligible for the re-test, approximately 750 did not show up, while 813 candidates did participate across designated centres in Chandigarh, Chhattisgarh, Gujarat, Haryana, and Meghalaya.
In Chhattisgarh, 291 out of 602 eligible candidates appeared for the examination, while in Haryana, 287 out of 494 candidates attended. Meghalaya saw 234 out of 464 candidates taking the re-test, with no candidates showing up in Chandigarh and only one in Gujarat.
The re-test was necessitated after the NTA withdrew grace marks provided to compensate for delays in exam start times at six centres during the initial NEET-UG session. This move came amidst controversy over inflated scores, with six students achieving a perfect 720 marks alongside 61 others, prompting concerns about score manipulation.
NEET-UG, a crucial examination for admission to MBBS, BDS, AYUSH, and related courses across government and private institutions, has been marred by allegations of irregularities, including question paper leaks in states like Bihar. The anomalies led to widespread protests and legal challenges, resulting in the Bihar Police making arrests related to the alleged paper leak, including prime suspect Sikandar Yadavendu.
In response to the uproar, the Central government has taken swift action, removing NTA director general Subodh Singh and transferring the investigation to the CBI. Additionally, a seven-member committee has been appointed to review the NTA’s operations and propose reforms to improve exam conduct and transparency.
Confirming the gravity of the situation, the CBI has filed an FIR regarding the alleged irregularities, marking a significant development in the ongoing investigation. The controversy surrounding NEET-UG continues to unfold as stakeholders await further updates and reforms in the examination process.