Karnataka Deputy CM DK Shivakumar questions BJP, NTA over alleged irregularities in NEET UG-2024 results

There is also a plea pending in the Supreme Court by some candidates demanding a fresh NEET-UG 2024 exam, raising concerns about a paper leak and the integrity of the test.

Also Read: Tamil Nadu CM MK Stalin urges state governments to raise voice against NEET

Questions results

Questioning the results, Shivakumar said that the future of 24 lakh NEET aspirants lies in uncertainty..

“Why is BJP Govt quiet? Why is NTA quiet?NEET results point towards definite foul play,” the deputy chief minister said in a post on X.

Shivakumar also sought an explanation from the authorities regarding some factors regarding the results of the NEET UG-2024.

• 67 aspirants got 720/720 scores, when in the past only 1 or 2 aspirants topped the exam.
• 67 toppers despite NEET having a negative marking system?
• 44 toppers out of 67 have become toppers due to ‘grace marks’.
• Surprisingly, the toppers with serial numbers 62-67 come from the same examination centre in Faridabad, Haryana

Shivakumar said most NEET aspirants come from humble backgrounds and such huge foul play puts a big dent in their aspirations to become doctors.

“Who is going to be held responsible for denying them a fair chance of becoming doctors?” he asked.

Shivakumar further questioned why the NEET result was announced unexpectedly on 4 June instead of the expected date — 14th June.

“This obvious foul play in the NEET results has resulted in aspirants committing suicides which should make our heads hang in shame. Our children are paying the price of corruption through their lives. Who is to be held accountable for that?” he asked.

“The future of our children is at stake, and the govt is not bothered. The nation needs answers, our children need answers. NOW,” he added.

The future of 24 lakh NEET aspirants lies in uncertainty..

❓Why is BJP Govt quiet?

❓Why is NTA quiet?

NEET results point towards definite foul play.
How else do you explain:

-67 aspirants getting 720/720 score, when in the past only 1 or 2 aspirants have topped the exam.… https://t.co/kq88MLLqI0

— DK Shivakumar (@DKShivakumar) June 7, 2024

Earlier in the day, Tamil Nadu Chief Minister MK Stalin had also questioned the authenticity of the exam.

NEET results controversy

The results of NEET-UG 2024, announced 67 candidates achieved full marks (720) which led to allegations on social media of a NEET paper leak scam.

Scorecards showing marks of 718 or 719 also surfaced, raising further questions.

The controversy stemmed from NEET’s marking scheme, which awards four marks for each correct answer and deducts one mark for each incorrect one.

Thus, after the full score of 720, the next possible score should be 716 if one question is unanswered and 715 if one question is answered incorrectly. This discrepancy in scores has fueled suspicion.

Adding to the speculation, the merit list released by the NTA revealed that eight students from the same centre scored 720 marks, further intensifying discussions about potential irregularities.

The cut-off scores this year are significantly higher, with students scoring less than 660 marks having slim chances of securing admission to government medical colleges.

This is a sharp increase from the previous year when students with 600 marks were able to secure seats in government colleges.

These concerns, particularly in light of the persistent rumours about the paper leak, have raised serious questions about the credibility of NEET 2024.

The NTA awarded grace marks as per court order, but students argued that this sudden decision was unjust as the agency did not clarify the methodology used to award these grace marks. Calls for transparency in the process have intensified.

The controversy surrounding the NTA is growing as hundreds of thousands of students demand a re-examination, citing the lack of clarity in the NTA’s explanations. They have even sought intervention from the Supreme Court.

The fairness of giving grace marks for lost exam time is a major concern among the students.

Also Read: Increase in cut-off, toppers reflect NEET’s competitive nature: NTA

Matter in Supreme Court

Demanding a fresh NEET-UG 2024 exam, a group of candidates has petitioned the Supreme Court, raising concerns about a paper leak and the integrity of the test.

The NTA has been named as a party in the plea filed by Shivangi Mishra and others.

The plea, filed on 1 June through lawyer Usha Nandini V, alleges that the NEET-UG test held on 5 May was marred by malpractices, including several instances of paper leaks.

The petitioners argued that the alleged paper leak violated Article 14 (right to equality) of the Constitution as it provided an unfair advantage to some candidates over others who attempted the examination honestly.

The plea sought a direction from the Supreme Court to conduct a fresh examination to ensure fairness.

According to PTI reports, the plea may be listed before a vacation bench soon.

(Edited by Muhammed Fazil)