NEET-UG 2024 Verdict: Dharmendra Pradhan Slams Opposition's 'Propaganda'

Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan reacted strongly to the Supreme Court's verdict, which explained the reasons for not canceling the 2024 NEET-UG medical entrance examination.

The apex court ruled that it did not cancel the examination, despite concerns of a paper leak, because there was no systemic breach of its sanctity. However, the court cautioned the National Testing Agency (NTA) to avoid the "flip-flops" it made in relation to the exam.

Pradhan stated that the Supreme Court's observation, which found no systemic breach and determined that no retest was necessary, vindicates the central government's stance. He said the government's commitment to maintaining a "tamper-free, transparent, and zero-error examination system."

He added, "To ensure the same, we shall implement recommendations of the high-level committee of experts, at the earliest once they are submitted."

Pradhan also slammed the Opposition, stating that the Supreme Court's findings and verdict "outrightly reject the propaganda that was being peddled."

He expressed gratitude to the Supreme Court, saying, "We wholeheartedly thank the Supreme Court for delivering justice and protecting the interests of lakhs of hardworking students. We shall implement Hon'ble Supreme Court's judgment in letter and spirit."

The Supreme Court's verdict, delivered on July 23, dismissed pleas seeking cancellation and a re-test of the controversial exam, concluding that there was no evidence to suggest a "systemic breach" that would have vitiated the examination.

On Friday, a three-judge bench, led by Chief Justice of India DY Chandrachud, provided detailed reasons for its decision.

The bench highlighted deficiencies in the structural processes of the NTA, noting that these issues must be addressed by the Centre this year to prevent recurrence.

The court also issued a series of directions, expanding the mandate of the Centre-appointed committee, led by former ISRO chief K Radhakrishnan, to review the NTA's functioning and recommend exam reforms.

The committee was also instructed to consider creating standard operating procedures (SOPs) for technological advancements to identify potential weaknesses in the cybersecurity of the examination system, enhance identity checks, and improve CCTV camera monitoring of exam centres.