New Delhi: Following the alleged irregularities in the NEET-UG 2024 exam conducted by the National Testing Agency (NTA), Alakh Pandey, CEO of Physics Wallah, has expressed his hope that the Supreme Court will address the concerns of students with integrity. Pandey emphasized the need for the Supreme Court to provide assurance to the students amidst growing protests and doubts about the examination’s credibility.
Speaking to ANI, Pandey highlighted the frustration and disillusionment among students, many of whom are considering abandoning their dreams of becoming doctors due to the controversy. He questioned the NTA’s silence on the paper leak issue and criticized the agency for its lack of transparency. “We have hopes from the Supreme Court. Even the students have hope from the Supreme Court. The SC should give assurance to the students that we will give the right judgment with integrity,” said Pandey, urging the court to take swift action to stop the ongoing protests.
Pandey accused the NTA of mishandling the situation, particularly regarding the grace marks awarded to 1,563 students and the perfect scores of 720 achieved by six students from four different states. He argued that the agency’s response has been insufficient and has failed to address the core issues. “NTA released a document after a lot of questions were raised…We raised questions as to why NTA is hiding the paper leak issue. Why isn’t it being investigated? How can they give grace marks?” Pandey questioned.
The CEO also pointed out the adverse effects on students’ morale, noting that the uncertainty and alleged malpractices have made it difficult for students to secure seats in top medical colleges. “At a score of 610, 620, 630, students got government medical colleges in different states. But there is no surety at a score of even 650 today… The reason behind this is either the paper leak or a lot of students receiving grace numbers,” Pandey lamented.
He further criticized the NTA for setting a question paper that has led to such anomalies, where even students with full marks are uncertain of getting seats in premier institutions like AIIMS Delhi. “Why was the paper set like this, in which even after securing full marks the student won’t be getting a seat in the top college? The one thing that I felt very bad about is that in the press conference, the NTA director should have said everything clearly. He should have said the truth,” Pandey asserted.
In response to the controversy, the Ministry of Education has established a committee to review the grace marks awarded to NEET-UG 2024 candidates. This move comes amid allegations of mark inflation, which resulted in 67 candidates securing the top rank, including six from the same exam center in Haryana.
The NEET-UG 2024 exam saw 20.38 lakh students register, with 11.45 lakh candidates qualifying. The results, announced on Tuesday, have sparked widespread concern and calls for a thorough investigation. As the situation unfolds, students and educators alike are looking to the Supreme Court for a fair and transparent resolution to the crisis.
