NEET 2024 Controversy: NTA Says Integrity Of Exam Not Compromised, No Paper Leak; Four-Member Panel To Review 'Grace Marks'

Days after allegations of irregularities and inflation of marks in the National Eligibility cum Entrance Test (NEET) 2024, National Testing Agency (NTA) Director General Subodh Kumar addressed the issue in a press conference on Saturday (9 June).

Kumar reiterated that there was no paper leak in the NEET exam.

He stated that the NTA had analysed the things and found the issue to be limited to just six exam centres.

Kumar said that the results of NEET candidates who were awarded grace marks might be revised, and the Education Ministry has set up a four-member committee to re-examine the results of over 1,500 students.

The panel would review the 'grace marks' given to as many as 1,563 students.

As many as 1,563 students were awarded grace marks due to "loss of exam time".

"The awarding of grace marks has not impacted the qualifying criteria of the exam and the review of results of the affected candidates will not impact the admission process," Kumar said, noting that the committee will submit the recommendations within a week and the results of these students might be revised.

However, he assured that the admission process would not be impacted.

Kumar emphasised the transparency of the analysis conducted by the NTA, highlighting that out of 4,750 exam centres and 24 lakh candidates, the problem was limited to six centres affecting around 1,600 candidates.

He stated that the integrity of the exam throughout the country was not compromised.

"We have analysed all the things transparently and declared the results," Kumar said.

"Out of 4,750 exam centres, the problem was limited to six centres, and out of 24 lakh candidates, only 1,600 candidates were affected. The integrity of this exam throughout the country was not compromised," he added.

"We analysed our system and there was no paper leak," Kumar said, India Today reported.

Regarding the candidates' concerns about time allocation, Kumar mentioned that a grievance addressal committee of experts had been formed to look into the details of time lost, including reports from centers and CCTV footage. He also clarified that the compensation with grace marks in NEET-UG has not affected the qualifying criteria.

Regarding the candidates' concerns about time allocation, Kumar mentioned that a grievance addressal committee of experts had been formed to look into the details of time lost, including reports from centres and CCTV footage.

He also clarified that the compensation with grace marks in NEET-UG has not affected the qualifying criteria.

"The candidates alleged that they got less time. We have replied in the High Court that we have formed a grievance addressal committee of experts, which would look into the details of time lost, including the reports from centre, CCTV footage," he added.

While several aspirants have alleged inflation of marks leading to a record 67 candidates sharing the top rank, including six from the same centres, the NTA denied any irregularities.

The NTA attributed the higher marks to changes in the NCERT textbooks and grace marks awarded for time lost at the examination centres.

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