NEET-UG 2024: No Room for Negligence - Supreme Court's Message to Education System

Delhi, 18 June (H.S): The Supreme Court, on Tuesday, made it clear that even the slightest negligence in the conduct of NEET-UG 2024 examination should not be taken lightly.

In a hearing for two separate petitions regarding the exam, the apex court emphasized that the litigation should not be treated as adversarial. The bench, consisting of Justices Vikram Nath and SVN Bhatti, instructed the advocates representing the Centre and National Testing Agency to thoroughly deal with any negligence, even if it is only 0.001 per cent. The court acknowledged the hard work and dedication of students in preparing for these exams and stressed the importance of timely and appropriate action by the concerned authorities.

The bench also highlighted the potential harm to society if someone who has cheated the system manages to become a doctor. It urged the NTA to take a firm stand and inspire confidence in their performance by addressing any mistakes or issues that may arise. The court then scheduled a hearing for July 8 along with other pending petitions related to the NEET-UG 2024 examination and directed the NTA and Centre to file their responses within two weeks.

Addressing a concern raised by one of the advocates, the bench assured that it will be taken into consideration. Overall, the Supreme Court reiterated the seriousness of conducting these exams with fairness and justice, emphasizing that even a small error must be dealt with appropriately.