The Centre informed the Supreme Court on February 2 that it would be implementing all the corrective measures recommended by the seven-member expert panel tasked with reviewing the National Testing Agency’s (NTA) handling of the NEET-UG 2024 examination. This development follows the panel’s review of the NTA’s functioning and its report on the necessary reforms.
In its filing, the Centre, represented by Solicitor General Tushar Mehta, assured the Court that the government would adopt all the recommendations from the panel, which was headed by former ISRO chief K. Radhakrishnan. Mehta confirmed that the corrective measures would be implemented, and the matter could be listed again for review after six months.
The Supreme Court had previously refused to annul the NEET-UG 2024 examination on August 2, citing a lack of sufficient evidence to suggest systemic malpractice or leaks that compromised the integrity of the exam. However, it had expanded the scope of the expert panel to assess the functioning of the NTA and propose reforms to ensure greater transparency and reduce malpractices in future NEET-UG exams.
The expert committee’s report, filed on Thursday, highlights several areas for improvement, including security and administrative measures, data protection, and technological enhancements. It also recommends policy changes, stakeholder engagement, and mental health support for students. Notably, it also stresses the importance of NTA staff training.
In its previous assessments, the Supreme Court had raised concerns over multiple lapses during the NEET-UG 2024, such as security breaches at examination centres, unauthorized access to question papers in Jharkhand, and the distribution of incorrect question paper sets to candidates.
Justice PS Narasimha and Justice Manoj Misra, who were hearing the case, adjourned the matter for three months, with instructions to revisit it in April 2025. The expert panel, which includes Randeep Guleria, B.J. Rao, Ramamurthy K, Pankaj Bansal, Aditya Mittal, and Govind Jaiswal, is tasked with further strengthening the exam’s security and integrity.
Over 23 lakh students appeared for the NEET-UG 2024, which is conducted by the NTA for admissions to MBBS, BDS, AYUSH, and other related courses. In November last year, the Supreme Court had dismissed a petition seeking a review of its earlier decision not to conduct a fresh NEET-UG 2024 examination.
Source of information: https://health.economictimes.indiatimes.com/news/education/will-implement-recommendations-of-expert-panel-on-neet-ug-exam-centre-to-sc/116898997
