NEET PG Exam 2024 has postponed:
The Supreme Court of India has postponed the NEET PG Exam 2024 hearing due to the non-sitting of the Chief Justice of India (CJI), D.Y. Chandrachud. The matter, involving a petition challenging the transparency of the exam’s conduct, is expected to be revisited once the apex court resumes after Dussehra.
Key Developments in NEET PG Exam Petition:
A bench led by CJI D.Y. Chandrachud and Justices J.B. Pardiwala and Manoj Misra was scheduled to hear the petition on transparency concerns surrounding the NEET PG 2024 exam. However, the session was deferred, and the case will now be addressed after the court reopens following the Dussehra holidays.
The petition, presented by senior advocate Vibha Datta Makhija, on behalf of NEET PG aspirants, highlighted several irregularities in the exam’s conduct. These include the introduction of two shifts, the normalization method used, and last-minute changes in the tie-breaker criteria, all of which, according to the petitioners, significantly impacted students.
Government’s Response Awaited:
In the previous session, the Supreme Court had asked the Centre, particularly the Union Health Ministry, to respond to the concerns raised by the petitioners. Despite receiving due notice, the ministry failed to appear before the court, leading the bench to adjourn the hearing. Advocate-on-record Parul Shukla was tasked with informing the office of the Solicitor General about the issue.
Also read: J&K NEET PG Counselling 2024: Online Registration Begins for PG Seats
The court has also sought the response of the National Board of Examinations (NBE), which conducted the NEET PG 2024 exam. The NBE conducted the exam on August 11, 2024, and results were announced on August 23.
Key Issues Raised by NEET PG Aspirants:
The petitioners have raised serious concerns regarding the conduct of the NEET PG 2024 exam, citing multiple issues that allegedly violated principles of transparency and fairness:
- Two Shifts and Normalization Method: For the first time in NEET PG history, the exam was held in two shifts, a decision that raised concerns among aspirants about the fairness of the normalization process.
- Lack of Transparency: The petition challenges the NBE’s decision not to disclose question papers, answer keys, or response sheets for the exam. Unlike previous years, where candidates were provided with their total score, the 2024 results only gave a scorecard, leaving students unable to verify their performance.
- Amendments in NEET PG Bulletin: Petitioners argue that the NEET PG information bulletin was altered just three days before the exam, adding further confusion and stress for the students.
- Changes in Tie-breaker Criteria: The last-minute change in the tie-breaker criteria was seen as arbitrary and detrimental to students’ prospects.
Impact on Aspirants:
The petition emphasized that NEET PG is a multidisciplinary exam where a candidate’s rank determines their eligibility to choose their desired course and specialization. Even a minor discrepancy in the marks can severely impact a candidate’s future opportunities.
The plea also highlighted that NEET PG had traditionally been a single-shift exam to maintain uniformity and fairness. The introduction of two shifts created an uneven playing field, as normalization methods may not adequately account for variations in difficulty between different shifts.
Call for Transparency in NEET PG Exam:
The petition concludes by calling for reforms in the conduct of NEET PG to ensure that the process remains transparent, fair, and conducive to selecting the best candidates for medical specializations. It argues that the current system lacks the necessary transparency, violating Article 14 of the Constitution, which guarantees equality before the law.
What’s Next?
With the hearing deferred until after Dussehra, the Supreme Court is expected to address the concerns raised by the petitioners regarding the NEET PG exam once the court reconvenes. The medical community and aspirants await the court’s ruling, which could lead to significant changes in how the NEET PG examination is conducted in the future.
The NEET PG Exam remains a subject of ongoing controversy:
As the Supreme Court prepares to hear the case after the holiday break, the future of NEET PG 2024 remains uncertain. The petition highlights critical issues of transparency and fairness, and the court’s decision could have far-reaching implications for aspiring medical professionals nationwide. The NEET PG Exam continues to be a topic of significant interest and controversy as students, educators, and policymakers await the next steps.
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