An application has recently been submitted to the Supreme Court of India seeking the suspension of the current counselling process for the National Eligibility-cum-Entrance Test for Postgraduate (NEET-PG) 2024 admissions.
This fresh petition forms part of the existing cases contesting the transparency issues surrounding the NEET-PG 2024 exam. The petitioners argue, as stated in their application, "the Medical Counselling Committee (MCC) is attempting to conduct counselling hurriedly before the set date to undermine the petitioner candidates' rights. Therefore, we pray for the MCC to defer the counselling until the present petition is heard, lest the subject matter become infructuous and fait accompli on the petitioners.”
Addressing the court on November 12, the petition was brought to the attention of the bench just days ago, and it was confirmed the plea would be reviewed on the following Monday, right before the next scheduled hearing. This will coincide with the MCC's own timetable, which states the deadline for Round 1 choice-filling is November 17, with seat allotment set to occur shortly thereafter on November 18 and 19.
The petitioners expressed concern about the procedures, particularly noting aspects like the introduction of two shifts, the normalisation method, and changes to the tiebreaker criterion introduced only three days prior to the exam, which they claim adversely affected the students.
Filed by advocate Parul Shukla, the plea argues there exists an alarming lack of transparency within the NEET-PG examination process, citing issues such as the MCC not disclosing question papers, answer keys, or candidates' response sheets. Unlike previous years, where candidates would receive detailed insight post-examination including their total score and questions answered correctly or incorrectly, this year’s announcement on August 23 merely provided individual scorecards, leaving many students feeling uninformed about their performance.
The petition asserts, "The method/manner of conducting the examination is manifestly arbitrary and against the principles of transparency and fairness enshrined under Article 14 of the Constitution of India.”
It highlights the significant changes to the examination format, stating this year marks the first time NEET-PG tests have been conducted across two shifts rather than the traditional single shift/day format, fundamentally jeopardizing uniform standards and fairness of assessment across the board.
Seeking rectification of what they termed as “serious patent defects” within the examination conduct, the petitioners contend the changes warrant urgent corrective measures to establish a fair and transparent examination system, ensuring fairness for every aspiring candidate. After all, NEET-PG is not just another exam; it’s pivotal for determining candidates’ future specialisations and career trajectories. Any minor discrepancies can have broader repercussions for those vying for specific medical fields.
The background of this scrutiny is tied to the broader socio-educational climate within India concerning competitive medical examinations, showcasing the lengths aspirants are willing to go to uphold their rights. Following the filing of this application, it’s yet another chapter of the tussle between students and educational authorities, leaving many anxiously awaiting the Court’s judgment, hoping for clarity and justice.
