The NEET UG 2024 controversy is a series of alleged malpractices and irregularities concerning the National Eligibility cum Entrance Test (Undergraduate), which is the sole nationwide entrance examination for admission to undergraduate medical programs in India. The core issues include allegations of question paper leaks, particularly in Patna and Godhra, and the unusual result declaration on June 4, 2024, which showed 67 candidates achieving a perfect score of 720/720.
The NEET-UG was first introduced in 2013 to unify medical entrance exams, replacing the All India Pre-Medical Test (AIPMT) and various state-level tests, to ensure a standardized and merit-based admission process. It became the single entrance test after the enactment of the National Medical Commission (NMC) Act, 2019, which mandates a common and uniform test under Section 14 for all medical institutions, including AIIMS and JIPMER. The exam is conducted by the National Testing Agency (NTA), an autonomous organization established under the Societies Registration Act, 1860, which has been the nodal agency since 2019.
The controversy centered on the NTA's decision to award compensatory or grace marks to 1,563 candidates who reported time loss during the exam on May 5, 2024. This decision was challenged in the Supreme Court, and the Union government informed the court on June 13, 2024, that the grace marks for these candidates would be cancelled. The affected candidates were given the option to sit for a re-test, which was likely to be held on June 23. Furthermore, the controversy connects to the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI), which took over the investigation into the paper leak cases. However, the Supreme Court, on July 23, 2024, refused to cancel the entire exam, stating there was no evidence of a "systemic" failure.