A group of medical students has recently filed a review petition challenging the Supreme Court’s earlier decision to dismiss their writ petition. The initial petition sought to cancel the NEET UG 2024 examination due to alleged widespread malpractices and requested a retest of the medical entrance exam. The Supreme Court, under Chief Justice DY Chandrachud, ruled against the retest on August 2, 2024. However, the students argue that significant developments have occurred since the ruling, necessitating a fresh judicial examination.
Newly Discovered Evidence
The petitioners claim to have uncovered new material evidence that points to a “systemic breach/malpractice” across various states. This evidence challenges the basis of the Supreme Court’s initial ruling. According to the students, the new findings make it impossible to distinguish between those who benefited from the malpractice and the honest students who took the exam fairly. The review petition argues that this evidence is of significant public interest and justifies reopening the case.
Data Analysis of Examination Centers
The review petition includes a detailed “City-Centre wise data analysis,” which highlights the discrepancies in success rates across examination centers. Out of 4,738 centers, around 60 had an unusually high success rate of about 80%, with four centers even exceeding an 85% success rate. Notably, 39 of these 60 centers are concentrated in Sikar, a single city. In contrast, such high success rates would typically be distributed across major metropolitan areas like Delhi, Mumbai, and Chennai in national-level exams. The average success rate at 2,417 other centers was below 50%, raising further suspicions.
Allegations of Malpractice
The petition also brings attention to several allegations of malpractice that were not fully addressed in the initial ruling. The students allege that “16 mobile phones,” reported missing following the paper leak, were later found in a pond in Dhanbad. Additionally, concerns are raised about “negligence” in awarding grace marks, issues with OMR sheets, and predictions of paper leaks. These points further underscore the need for a thorough judicial review, according to the petitioners.
Multiple-Choice Questions (MCQs):
- What is the primary reason for the students filing a review petition regarding the NEET UG 2024 examination?
a) To seek additional grace marks
b) To request a retest due to alleged widespread malpractices
c) To change the examination date
d) To challenge the syllabus of the exam
Answer: b) To request a retest due to alleged widespread malpractices - Which evidence is highlighted by the petitioners to support their claim of malpractice in NEET UG 2024?
a) Low success rates in all centers
b) High success rates in Sikar and unusually high success rates in 60 examination centers
c) High success rates across all metropolitan areas
d) Evidence of paper leaks in every city
Answer: b) High success rates in Sikar and unusually high success rates in 60 examination centers - Where were the “16 mobile phones,” reported missing after the paper leak, eventually found?
a) In a school locker
b) In a river in Mumbai
c) In a pond in Dhanbad
d) In a park in Delhi
Answer: c) In a pond in Dhanbad - What does the review petition argue regarding the newly discovered evidence?
a) It should be ignored
b) It warrants a fresh judicial examination due to significant public interest
c) It is irrelevant to the case
d) It supports the initial ruling without any changes
Answer: b) It warrants a fresh judicial examination due to significant public interest - Which city had an unusually high concentration of examination centers with success rates exceeding 80%?
a) Delhi
b) Mumbai
c) Sikar
d) Chennai
Answer: c) Sikar