Medical Students Fight Against NEET-UG 2024 Cancellation, Claim Fundamental Rights Violation
Last Updated on July 4, 2024 by News Desk
A petition has been filed by 56 Gujarat-based medical students in the Supreme Court against the calls for ‘Re-NEET’ and cancelling the results of the NEET-UG 2024 examination.
The petitioners are seeking to continue medical admission based on the present results, excluding those who have adopted unfair means in the examination. They have urged the Top Court to issue a writ of mandamus to the National Testing Agency (NTA) restraining them from cancelling the NEET-UG 2024 exams, as it would be unreasonable and violate their fundamental rights under Articles 14 and 21A.
The petitioners also highlight how constant media coverage over the calls of Re-NEET has created anxiety and duress among the students who have passed the exam with their hard work. The petitioners are young students around 17-18 years old who have dedicated their 100% to achieve their dream of becoming a doctor. The constant media coverage of news regarding the cancellation of the NEET-UG 2024 and re-NEET for all the students is creating mental pressure and causing unnecessary stress.
The petitioners seek several reliefs, including
issuing a Writ of Mandamus or any other appropriate Writ, Order or direction directing the respondents to restrain from cancelling the NEET-UG 2024 examination held on 05.05.2024 and the result thereof dated 04.06.2024; issuing a writ of mandamus directing Respondent No. 01 to investigate and identify students who have adopted unfair means or engaged in illegal activities of paper leakage, impersonation, or fraudulent activities; and issuing or passing any writ, direction, or order deemed fit and proper under the facts and circumstances of the case.
Background
Several petitions have been filed against the National Testing Agency (NTA)’s nationwide examination on May 5, alleging malpractices and paper leaks. Following the announcement of the NEET-UG Results, additional pleas were raised against the ‘arbitrary’ grant of grace marks to 1536 candidates, claiming ‘loss of time’ and ‘back-door entry’. Some petitions also seek to recall the NEET-UG 2024 results and conduct a fresh examination. The Union Education Ministry has informed the vacation bench of Justices Vikram Nath and Sandeep Mehta of their decision to cancel the grace marks of 1563 candidates.
The bench also refused to stay the counselling/seat allotment process for NEET-UG, which is scheduled to commence on July 6. A high-level committee of experts was set up by the Union Education Ministry on June 22 for recommendations on reforming the examination process, improving data security protocols, and strengthening the NTA.
