NEET case: SC stays proceedings in various HCs regarding paper leak allegations, counselling process to go on

The Supreme Court on Thursday stayed proceedings before various High Courts in cases related to alleged paper leak in the NEET-UG 2024 examination, while reiterating that counselling will not be stopped.

The apex court issued notices on petition filed by the National Testing Agency (NTA) seeking transfer of pleas relating to NEET-UG, 2024 from High Court to the apex court.

Further, the Centre and NTA were also served a notice after a petition claimed students who appeared in Meghalaya centre for NEET-UG exam allegedly lost 45 minutes. They have asked to be a part of the 1563 students who got grace marks and were given option to appear for re-exam on June 23.


The case will be next heard on July 8.

The SC has been hearing pleas citing paper leak allegations in the examination and told the Centre, NTA that they should deal with negligence in NEET-UG 2024.

"If there is 0.001 per cent negligence on the part of anyone, it should be thoroughly dealt with. All these matters ought not to be treated as adversarial litigation," observed a vacation bench of Justices Vikram Nath and SVN Bhatti.

NEET UG paper leak allegations

The bench told counsels appearing for Centre and NTA that children have prepared for the exams and "we cannot forget their labour" for preparing for these exams.

It told the counsel of NTA that as an agency which is conducting the examination, it must "act fair".

"If there is a mistake, say yes, this is a mistake, and this is the action we are going to take. At least that inspires confidence in your performance," the top court told NTA while adding that it expects timely action from them.

The Supreme Court, during its hearing on fresh petitions concerning alleged paper leaks and malpractices in the NEET-UG 2024 exam held on May 5, has sought a response from the National Testing Agency (NTA) within two weeks.

Petitioners have requested the court to recall the NEET-UG 2024 results and mandate a retest, citing issues of paper leakage and exam malpractices.

Previously, the NTA informed the court that it would cancel the scorecards of 1,563 candidates who received "grace marks" due to time loss during the exam. These candidates will be allowed to retake the test.

The NEET-UG examination, conducted by the NTA, is the pathway for admissions into MBBS, BDS and AYUSH and other related courses in government and private institutions across the country.