New Delhi: The Supreme Court is set to resume hearing a petition challenging the National Board of Examinations’ decision not to release NEET-PG 2024 exam question papers, answer keys, or candidate response sheets. The exam, conducted on August 11 with results announced on August 23, will be discussed by a bench led by CJI DY Chandrachud on September 20, as per the court’s causelist.
Last week, the bench, including Justices JB Pardiwala and Manoj Miara, agreed to review the issues raised, directing the petitioner to serve copies to the NBE and the standing counsel. The petition argues a lack of transparency, noting that candidates received only a scorecard without access to question papers, response sheets, or answer keys, unlike previous years.
It alleges arbitrariness in the exam process, violating Article 14 of the Indian Constitution. The plea stresses the exam’s multidisciplinary nature and the impact of minor score variations on candidates’ speciality choices.
The petition also raises concerns about the NEET-PG 2024 being held in two shifts for the first time, deviating from the usual single-shift format. It argues that this change undermines the fairness and uniformity of the exam, creating potential disparities among candidates.
The plea emphasises the need for a transparent and equitable examination process to ensure that the most qualified candidates succeed. Additionally, in August, the Supreme Court dismissed a separate petition seeking to postpone the NEET-PG 2024 exam due to logistical challenges, with the court stating that rescheduling the exam would disrupt the plans of thousands of candidates and their families.
