The Supreme Court is currently addressing significant issues surrounding the NEET PG 2024 Transparency Case, which has drawn national attention due to allegations of irregularities and lack of transparency in the examination process. A group of 19 medical aspirants filed a petition raising concerns about the methodology employed by the National Board of Examinations in Medical Sciences (NBEMS), which oversees the exam.

Issues Raised in the Transparency Case

One of the petitioners' primary concerns is the non-disclosure of answer keys, response sheets, and raw marks. This lack of transparency has left many aspirants questioning the fairness of their scores. Additionally, the use of a normalization process, introduced due to the examination being conducted in two shifts on August 11, 2024, has further complicated the results. Aspirants allege discrepancies between the number of attempted questions shown on their screens and the scores reflected in their results.

 

Supreme Court’s Preliminary Hearing

During the Supreme Court hearing, the bench acknowledged the complexity of the matter and emphasized the need for greater transparency to uphold the credibility of the examination process. The petitioners argued that the NBEMS’s refusal to release crucial details about the grading system and answer scripts undermines the principles of fairness and accountability in a high-stakes exam like NEET PG.

While refraining from issuing immediate directives, the court has decided to review the policies of NBEMS and the Medical Counselling Committee (MCC) during subsequent hearings. The case is now scheduled for a Non-Miscellaneous Day, indicating its significance in the judicial calendar.

Timeline of the Legal Proceedings

The case has faced repeated delays:

1. September 20, 2024: The first hearing was held.
2. October 4, 2024: Postponed due to the Chief Justice's absence.
3. October 25, 2024: Delayed again as the central government did not appear.
4. November 19, 2024: Rescheduled after petitioners sought a postponement.
5. December 3, 2024: Today’s hearing marks the sixth attempt at addressing the issue​
   
   

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Consequences of Medical Counselling

The ongoing legal proceedings have delayed the announcement of the MCC NEET PG 2024 counselling schedule, a critical step in admissions for MD, MS, and diploma courses. As the MCC oversees 50% of the All India Quota (AIQ) seats, the delay has heightened anxiety among aspirants. Petitioners have requested the Court to halt the counselling process until the transparency issues are addressed.

This delay could impact thousands of students vying for postgraduate medical seats, resolving the Supreme Court Hearing critical to the academic timeline.

Key Concerns Highlighted

1. Irregularities in Results: Aspirants flagged anomalies in their scores, prompting demands for greater transparency in the result evaluation process. Some candidates also raised concerns about potential paper leaks, exacerbating mistrust.
   
   
2. Lack of Accessible Documents: Unlike other standardized tests, NEET PG does not provide question papers, answer keys, or response sheets to candidates, limiting their ability to challenge their results effectively​
   
   
3. Normalization Process: The methodology used to adjust scores across different shifts remains undisclosed, further intensifying doubts about the examination's fairness​.
   
   

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Implications of the Supreme Court Hearing

Today's Supreme Court Hearing could have far-reaching consequences for medical education in India:

• Impact on NEET PG 2024 Counselling: The ongoing delays in resolving the case have also postponed the start of NEET PG 2024 counselling, creating uncertainty for thousands of candidates awaiting admissions​. 
  
  
• Policy Revisions: A ruling in favor of the petitioners may compel NBEMS to adopt more transparent practices, potentially setting a precedent for other competitive exams​.

What Aspirants Are Demanding

The petitioners are seeking three critical reforms:

1. Access to Answer Keys and Raw Marks: To enable candidates to verify their scores.
2. Clear Normalization Guidelines: To ensure fair evaluation across multiple shifts.
3. Post-Result Revaluation Options: To address discrepancies in scores​
   
   

The NEET PG 2024 Transparency Case underscores the pressing need for accountability in India’s medical entrance examinations. Today’s Supreme Court hearing is pivotal in determining the future of not only NEET PG but also broader examination practices in the country. Aspirants and education advocates await a resolution that upholds fairness and transparency.

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