The National Testing Agency (NTA) is set to release a revised merit list for the NEET UG exam, following the Supreme Court’s directions. This change will impact 44 top scorers, who may see their ranks drop by at least 88 positions or more, according to The Indian Express.
In the results announced on June 4, 67 candidates scored a perfect 720 marks. Out of these, six were given extra marks for time lost due to invigilator mistakes, and 44 received “grace marks” for incorrectly answering a basic physics question. These candidates answered based on an erroneous reference in their old Class 12 NCERT science textbook and received an additional five marks.
However, the Supreme Court ruled that there should be only one correct answer, and no marks would be given for incorrect answers. Consequently, the scores for these 44 candidates will be revised to 715 out of 720.
With 14 candidates scoring 720 and another 70 scoring 716, these 44 candidates will now rank lower, likely beyond the 88th position and potentially in the hundreds.
Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan announced that the NTA would release a new merit list within two days. He welcomed the Supreme Court’s decision to not cancel NEET-UG, stating, “Truth prevails, we welcome the order of the Supreme Court. Our priority has always been the students.”
Pradhan emphasized the government’s commitment to making the NTA a transparent, tamper-free, and error-free organization and vowed strict legal action against those responsible for the confusion.
Regarding the UGC-NET, which was canceled due to a suspected paper leak, Pradhan mentioned that the NTA has announced a new date for the exam.
Pradhan also criticized the Opposition for misleading students and creating confusion over the NEET issue. He said, “The Opposition called the examination system invalid and rubbish. This shows their intellectual level. Misleading students and creating confusion is part of their politics.”
He appealed to the Opposition to apologize to the students, saying, “Political discussions can differ, but students belong to the country, not any party. Satyamev Jayate, the truth cannot be hidden.”
Addressing the opposition to NEET in some states, Pradhan remarked, “The Supreme Court had recommended an All-India test conducted by an agency due to numerous complaints about the old practice. The opposition to NEET today seems political.”