New Delhi: A petition has been submitted to the Supreme Court for a review of its previous order from August 2, which had dismissed requests for a fresh NEET-UG 2024 examination.
The court had observed that there was no “systemic breach” justifying the annulment of the exam. The review petition, lodged by Kajal Kumari, appeals to the Supreme Court to re-evaluate and possibly alter its August 2 decision.
Typically, a review petition is filed by a dissatisfied party seeking a re-examination of a prior court order. Usually, such petitions are deliberated in a chamber hearing without the presence of parties, attorneys, or litigants, and the original panel of judges renders a verdict, often within 15-30 minutes.
In the verdict dated August 2, the Supreme Court declared the evidence insufficient to prove a systemic leak or misconduct that would compromise the integrity of the exam, thus determining that there was no “systemic breach” that would necessitate the exam’s cancellation.
On the same day, the Court issued a comprehensive judgment with seven directives aimed at establishing a robust, secure, and transparent examination system. Recognizing the absence of a systemic breach that would require the exam’s cancellation, the Court ordered the implementation of various measures to guarantee a fair and secure examination process.
The judgment was delivered by a bench headed by Chief Justice D.Y. Chandrachud after considering several petitions from students alleging malpractices and irregularities during the exam. The hearings spanned four days and included representations from the petitioners, the Centre, the National Testing Agency (NTA), and other stakeholders.
The Court mandated stringent scrutiny throughout the examination process, encompassing protocols for question paper management, secure storage, and improved identity verification at multiple points. It further advocated for technological advancements to deter impersonation and underscored the importance of complying with privacy legislation. Chief Justice Chandrachud stressed the imperative for the NTA to eliminate irregularities in managing the NEET-UG 2024 exam, remarking that such irregularities are detrimental to the interests of students.
The Court has broadened the mandate of the K. Radhakrishnan expert committee, established by the government to tackle NEET-UG paper leaks and related issues. The committee is now responsible for executing seven measures to strengthen the integrity of the examination process. These measures include: 1. Formation of an evaluation committee, 2. Development of a Standard Operating Procedure, 3. Overhaul of the exam centre allocation process, 4. Improvement of identity verification methods, 5. CCTV surveillance at exam venues, 6. Engagement of secure logistics providers to safeguard against paper tampering, and 7. Establishment of an effective grievance redressal system.
