The National Eligibility cum Entrance Test for Postgraduate (NEET PG) 2024 is facing mounting controversy as a plea for its postponement has been filed in the Supreme Court. The petition, filed by an unnamed petitioner, cites several concerns, including allegations of paper leaks surfacing on social media and logistical challenges caused by inconvenient test city assignments. The exam is scheduled for August 11, 2024, with the admit card set to be released today, August 8th.
The petition highlights the significant inconvenience faced by students due to the short notice given for test city allocation. While the intent was to prevent malpractice, the petitioner argues that the late announcement has made it nearly impossible for students to arrange travel. The allocation was made on July 31st, with specific centers to be declared on August 8th, leaving students with barely a week to make arrangements. This has created a logistical nightmare, particularly for students assigned test cities far from their residence. The petition points out that over two lakh students are scheduled to appear for the examination across 185 test cities, resulting in limited train ticket availability and soaring airfares due to dynamic pricing, making it difficult for many students to reach their designated test centers.
Adding to the chaos, allegations of paper leaks have surfaced on social media, fueling anxiety among students. A post on X (formerly Twitter) by the ALL FMGs ASSOCIATION (AFA) claimed that NEET PG 2024 exam papers were being sold for Rs. 70,000 on Telegram. The post further highlighted concerns about the confidentiality of exam centers and frequent changes in exam dates and centers. Such claims have created an environment of distrust and vulnerability, prompting students to demand transparency and assurance regarding the integrity of the examination process.
In response to these allegations, the National Board of Examinations in Medical Sciences (NBEMS) and the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare issued a press release denying any potential leakage of the NEET PG 2024 examination papers. The press release stated that media reports claiming potential leakage were false and misleading. They also clarified that the question papers for NEET PG 2024 have not yet been prepared, thus rendering any claims of paper leaks baseless. NBEMS has registered a police complaint against individuals attempting to deceive aspirants by claiming to provide exam questions for money. The press release advises candidates to disregard such fraudulent activities and report any suspicious activity to NBEMS or local police.
Despite the NBEMS’s denial of the paper leaks, the allegations and travel challenges have intensified the pressure for a postponement. The petition filed in the Supreme Court calls for the postponement of the exam, seeking more time for students to prepare and travel to their assigned test cities. The petitioner also seeks the disclosure of the normalisation formula used for the four sets of question papers to ensure transparency and eliminate the possibility of bias in the evaluation process. The petition argues that conducting the examinations in two batches with an undisclosed normalization formula creates apprehension that one batch might face a more difficult question paper than the other, leading to unfair evaluation.
The Supreme Court is expected to hear the petition shortly, and the outcome of this case will have significant ramifications for the lakhs of students preparing for NEET PG 2024. The controversy surrounding the exam has highlighted the need for greater transparency and consideration for students’ concerns during the crucial examination process.
