NEET UG Paper Leak Scam 2024 Live: AAP Mumbai Protests Against NEET Scam, Calls for Fresh Examination

THE TIMES OF INDIA | Jun 19, 2024, 18:36:03 IST

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NEET UG 2024 Live Updates: The NEET UG 2024 results were unexpectedly announced by the National Testing Agency (NTA) on June 4, 2024, ten days ahead of schedule, coinciding with the general election results. This move sparked criticism due to the unprecedented declaration of 67 all-India rank 1 holders and concerns regarding transparency in the allocation of grace marks.

Today, on June 19, the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) staged a demonstration outside the residence of MP and Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan. Additionally, the Congress Party has called for a nation-wide protest to raise concern over the alleged NEET UG 2024 irregularities.

The National Eligibility cum Entrance Test (NEET) has been under scrutiny for its integrity in selecting candidates for undergraduate medical seats. Initially managed by the Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE), NEET is now overseen by the autonomous National Testing Agency (NTA) under the Ministry of Education.

Before NEET's inception in 2013, various medical colleges and states conducted their own entrance exams, raising issues of corruption and unfair seat distribution. Centralizing admissions aimed to address these concerns.

Despite legal challenges that questioned NEET's validity from 2012 to 2020, the Supreme Court upheld its use for medical admissions. However, in 2024, the exam faced petitions seeking its annulment due to alleged leaks and discrepancies, casting doubt on its fairness.

In 2024, over 23 lakh candidates competed for approximately 1.09 lakh MBBS seats, with over 55,000 in government colleges and the rest in private institutions. Following the release of results, the Medical Council of India (MCI) conducts counseling for seat allocation.

The controversies surrounding the 2024 NEET exam gained political attention amid concurrent general elections. Allegations of question paper leaks, discrepancies in marking, and the unprecedented number of perfect scores fueled public debate. The decision to award grace marks to candidates facing paper-related issues further fueled controversy. Initially announced on June 4 instead of the scheduled June 14, suspicions over the early release added to the controversy.

Petitions were swiftly filed in the Supreme Court and various High Courts seeking to invalidate the exam due to alleged leaks and discrepancies. Amidst mounting pressure, the NTA and the government rescinded the grace marks and announced plans for a re-examination on June 23. Calls for a Central Bureau of Investigation inquiry have also emerged from some petitioners. The Supreme Court will convene on July 8, 2024, to discuss the possible cancellation of NEET 2024.

Stay updated with the latest developments on NEET UG 2024 with TOI Live.

18:36 (IST) Jun 19

AAP Leader Ruben Mascarenhas Decries NEET 'Scam,' Urges Restoration of Student Trust

Ruben Mascarenhas, AAP's Mumbai working president, strongly criticised the NEET "scam," emphasising its potential detrimental impact on the futures of over 24 lakh medical aspirants across the country. He called for swift action to address the allegations and restore trust in the integrity of the NEET examination process.

18:00 (IST) Jun 19

AAP's Mumbai Unit Protests Alleged NEET Scam, Calls for Comprehensive Examination Overhaul

The Mumbai unit of the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) staged a vehement protest on Wednesday against what they allege to be a major NEET scam, demanding a complete overhaul of the examination process. The party asserts that a fresh examination is necessary to uphold the integrity of the educational system, echoing nationwide concerns over reported irregularities.

Read Full Report Here

17:31 (IST) Jun 19

AAP MP Sandeep Pathak Raises Alarm Over NEET UG 2024 Scandal, Alleges Paper Leaks and Price Fixing

— PTI_News (@PTI_News)

17:08 (IST) Jun 19

NEET UG 2024 Latest News: NTA's Defence Amidst Allegations

Under fire over its conduct of the NEET examinations, the National Testing Agency (NTA) has informed the Education Ministry that examinees from Patna and Godhra, scrutinised for alleged irregularities, did not show any unusual advantage based on an analysis of their marks.

14:14 (IST) Jun 19

NEET UG 2024 Latest News: Government's Response to Allegations

Bihar Deputy CM Vijay Sinha assured that action would be taken against all guilty parties in the NEET probe. Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan stated that strong action would be taken against NTA officials if found guilty of irregularities. The Supreme Court has sought responses from the Centre and NTA on the allegations of malpractices.

14:06 (IST) Jun 19

NEET UG 2024 Latest News: Political Reactions

Congress leader Rahul Gandhi criticised Prime Minister Narendra Modi for his silence on the NEET exam issue, committing to raising the youth's concerns. He pointed out organised corruption in BJP-ruled states like Bihar, Gujarat, and Haryana, which have become epicentres of paper leaks. The Supreme Court has demanded strict accountability for any negligence in the NEET-UG 2024 conduct.

13:58 (IST) Jun 19

NEET UG 2024 Latest News: Bihar Deputy CM Alleges Links Between NEET Paper Leak and Former Deputy CM Tejashwi Yadav

Vijay Sinha, Bihar's Deputy Chief Minister, has raised concerns over the alleged involvement of individuals linked to Pritam in the NEET paper leak. According to ANI, Sinha stated, "I am gathering information. Those apprehended at the Guest House are connected to Pritam. There are claims of his ties to former Deputy CM Tejashwi Yadav. We are investigating the entire issue... We will scrutinize this thoroughly, and those found guilty will face consequences."

Sinha emphasized his determination to identify any ministers involved and asserted, "I have issued warnings within my department and will ensure accountability for those responsible." He underscored the seriousness of the matter, stating, "This requires a high-level investigation to expose the RJD's alleged support for criminal activities."

The Deputy CM's remarks underscore a growing controversy surrounding the NEET paper leak and its purported political connections.

13:40 (IST) Jun 19

NTA Reports NEET UG-2024 Candidates Under Scrutiny Show No Unusual Advantage in Exam Scores

Amid scrutiny and allegations of irregularities in the NEET-UG 2024 examinations, the National Testing Agency (NTA) has reportedly informed the Education Ministry that candidates from Patna and Godhra, implicated in the controversy, do not show significant advantages based on their exam scores. The Bihar Police investigation into a possible paper leak involves 13 candidates from Patna, with eight scoring below 500 out of 720 marks. Similarly, nearly all candidates from two Godhra exam centers, suspected of OMR sheet manipulation, scored below 500 marks.

13:38 (IST) Jun 19

NEET UG-2024 Controversy: Engineer's Confession Raises Questions in Patna Stay Case

The controversy surrounding the NEET UG-2024 exam results escalates as an engineer, Sikandar Prasad Yadavendu, confesses to aiding the stay of four candidates and a guardian in Patna. His nephew, Anurag Yadav, and mother Reena Kumari allegedly benefited from this arrangement, according to a confession note recently surfaced in Bihar's Danapur Nagar Parishad.

13:36 (IST) Jun 19

NEET-UG: Supreme Court Urges Strict Handling of Even 0.001% Negligence

The Supreme Court has instructed the central government and the National Testing Agency (NTA) to ensure the meticulous conduct of the National Eligibility-cum-Entrance Test-Undergraduate (NEET-UG) 2024, stressing that even "0.001 per cent negligence" must be thoroughly addressed. Justices Vikram Nath and SVN Bhatti emphasized the NTA's duty to stand firm and take swift action in case of any mistakes to inspire confidence in their performance. The court has scheduled further hearings for July 8, including petitions seeking a reevaluation of exam procedures.

13:24 (IST) Jun 19

NEET UG 2024 Latest News: Confession of NEET Candidate's Guardian

A confession letter from Sikandar Prasad Yadavendu, an engineer in Bihar, revealed his involvement in facilitating the stay of NEET candidates in Patna. He claimed to have assisted his nephew and other candidates, while also being part of a racket leaking question papers for NEET, BPSC, and UPSC exams.

13:10 (IST) Jun 19

NEET UG 2024 Latest News: Asaduddin Owaisi Criticizes NDA Government, Calls for SC-Monitored NEET Re-Exam

The demand for a re-test of NEET UG has gained momentum since irregularities were highlighted post-result. Asaduddin Owaisi, president of AIMIM, has strongly criticized the NDA government for alleged discrepancies in NEET and urged for a Supreme Court-monitored re-examination, according to PTI. Speaking at a public gathering at Darussalam, AIMIM's headquarters, Owaisi remarked that the integrity of the NEET exam has been compromised.

13:08 (IST) Jun 19

NEET UG 2024 Latest News: "Multiple petitions have been listed in the Court. Some of the petitions were filed before the declaration of results on the basis that there had been a leak of the paper itself. Notices have been issued in regard to those petitions.." Advocate J. Sai Deepak said to ANI on Tuesday.

— ANI (@ANI)

12:59 (IST) Jun 19

NEET UG 2024 Latest News: Supreme Court's Directive on NEET-UG Conduct

The Supreme Court emphasised that even a "0.001 per cent negligence" in conducting NEET-UG 2024 must be "thoroughly dealt with." The Court urged the NTA to take firm action against any mistakes, as such measures would inspire confidence in the agency's performance. The Centre informed the Court that grace marks for 1,563 candidates would be withdrawn, with a retest scheduled for June 23, 2024.

12:57 (IST) Jun 19

NEET UG 2024 Latest News: NTA's Detailed Analysis

Of the 12 centres under scrutiny, 11 are in Patna and one in Hajipur. Out of 10,352 students who took the exam from these centres, 5,803 qualified. Only 440 candidates scored more than 600 marks. Four out of 13 candidates from Patna, investigated for paper leaks, scored over 500 marks, with the top scorer obtaining 609 marks.

12:57 (IST) Jun 19

NEET UG 2024 Latest News: Patna Candidates Under Investigation

Of the 13 Patna candidates investigated by Bihar Police for alleged paper leaks, eight scored less than 500 marks out of 720. Nearly 98% of students from two Godhra exam centers, under investigation for OMR sheet manipulation, also scored less than 500 marks. This analysis forms part of the NTA's submission to the Ministry as it prepares its response for the Supreme Court.

12:57 (IST) Jun 19

NEET UG 2024 Latest News: NTA's Stance on Exam Centre Manipulations

Amid scrutiny over its conduct of the NEET exams, the NTA informed the Education Ministry that examinees from Patna and Godhra, suspected of benefiting from irregularities, did not show unusual advantages in their scores. This analysis is part of the NTA’s report submitted to the Ministry, which will be considered in the Union government's response to the Supreme Court.

12:57 (IST) Jun 19

NEET UG 2024 Latest News: Retest for Candidates Receiving Grace Marks

The NTA has decided to withdraw the grace marks awarded to 1,563 candidates who were initially compensated for lost time and will conduct a retest for these candidates. Despite this, the government continues to deny allegations of paper leaks and irregularities in Bihar and Godhra. Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan assured that if any allegations are proven true, the culprits will face severe consequences.

12:57 (IST) Jun 19

NEET UG 2024 Latest News: Examination Statistics

The NEET-UG 2024 exam saw around 2.4 million students across 4,750 centres. A record 67 students scored a perfect 720, with six from a single centre in Faridabad, raising suspicions of rigging. Allegations of paper leaks and irregularities have led to protests and multiple legal challenges.

12:56 (IST) Jun 19

NEET UG 2024 Latest News: Controversial Perfect Scores

Announced on June 4, the NEET-UG 2024 results drew immediate attention as 67 candidates achieved a perfect score of 720/720, while some candidates scored 718 or 719. Critics claimed these high scores were implausible given the exam's rigour. The NTA attributed these results to a relatively easier exam paper, additional marks awarded to students who lost time due to errors and delays by NTA staff and invigilators, and the correction of an incorrect question.

NEET UG Paper Leak Scam 2024 Live: AAP Mumbai Protests Against NEET Scam, Calls for Fresh Examination - The Times of India (2024)

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