Students unhappy with Supreme Court ruling on NEET

The Supreme Court's ruling against the demand by thousands of students for a re-test of NEET examination for admission to medical schools amid allegations of irregularities has left students disappointed who say that the top court is disconnected from reality.

Students across India are up in the arms against the recent ruling by the Supreme Court against re-test for the 2024 NEET-UG exam that governs admission to undergraduate courses in medical colleges in India.

Allegations of paper leaks and administrative flaws have already plunged the Indian education system into crisis, and the recent judgment has only intensified the nationwide outrage.

The Supreme Court on Tuesday stated that there was no data to suggest a ‘systemic breach’ or that the ‘sanctity’ of the examination was affected, despite admitting the fact that the question paper was leaked. “The result of the exam was not vitiated nor was there a systemic breach in the sanctity of the exam,” the court said in a ruling that has been met with widespread disapproval among students who feel that their efforts and dedication have been undermined by the irregularities.

“The Supreme Court’s judgment seems disconnected from the realities faced by students. We need a transparent and fair process to ensure our hard work does not go in vain, the leaks and irregularities have affected so many students. We deserved a fair re-examination to prove our capabilities,” Rohit Kumar, one of the students from Jaipur tells Media India Group.

The disappointment is palpable among those who had hoped for a re-test to rectify the situation. Many students believe the court’s decision fails to address the fundamental issues within the examination system.

“My dreams of becoming a doctor are now in jeopardy because of these leaks. I had faith that the Supreme Court would ensure justice, but their decision has shattered my confidence in the system,” Mewish Hassan, a resident of Shaheen Bagh Delhi, tells Media India Group.

Many students had placed their last hope on the Supreme Court, believing it would order a re-test and restore fairness to the NEET examination process.

“We belong to a middle-class family and can’t afford a private college or going abroad. This exam scam has ruined everything, and our last hope was on Supreme Court. Unfortunately, they have also decided to go with the revised results despite the clear evidence of misconduct. I feel completely disheartened and have lost all hope. It is not just about this exam, it is about the integrity of the entire education system,” Tahelel Rasheed, a resident of Srinagar tells Media India Group.

“My parents are trying their best to support me, but the uncertainty and lack of fairness have left us feeling hopeless. I just wanted a fair chance to prove myself, and now even that seems out of reach,” Rasheed adds.

Disheartened by the court’s order, many students are now contemplating studying abroad. With the integrity of India’s examination system in question, more students are exploring opportunities in other countries. In 2022, more than 750,000 Indians went abroad to study, nearly double the number from 2018, according to federal foreign ministry data. This trend is expected to continue as students seek reliable and transparent education systems overseas.

“I have dedicated the last four years of my life, sacrificing day and night to prepare for this exam, only to see my efforts undermined by these irregularities. It is totally unfair. I am done with this Indian education system. My parents are now planning to send me abroad for my studies, where I hope to find a fair and transparent process that respects my hard work and dedication,” Pooja Singh, a resident of Lajpat Nagar, Delhi, tells Media India Group.

This year, 2.4 million students competed for just 110,000 available seats in the NEET exam, highlighting the intense pressure and fierce competition faced by aspiring candidates.

“I have always been passionate about NEET, and this was my second attempt. I worked so hard for this exam, but now everything seems uncertain. The government should think about our future and conduct a re-examination. We deserve a fair chance to prove our abilities, this is not just about one exam, it is about the integrity of the entire system. We cannot let these irregularities define our future. I have lost faith in the Indian education system and am now going to Russia for my MBBS studies,” Nisha Singh, a resident of South Delhi, tells Media India Group

UGC-NET exam cancellation: Another blow

In a separate yet equally significant incident, the Ministry of Education announced the cancellation of the UGC- NET just a day after it was conducted. The decision came after reports of a paper leak, compromising the exam’s integrity. The ministry received inputs from the National Cyber Crime Threat Analytics Unit of the Indian Cyber Crime Coordination Centre (I4C), prompting the cancellation to maintain transparency and sanctity in the examination process.

The UGC-NET, conducted in a pen-and-paper format this year, saw a turnout of approximately 81 pc of the 1.12 million registered candidates across 317 cities. The abrupt cancellation has left millions of students in a state of uncertainty, raising serious questions about the effectiveness of the current examination security measures.

This exam is crucial for securing entry-level teaching positions in Indian universities and admission to PhD programmes, it has been cancelled for the first time since the introduction of the ‘anti-paper leak’ law by the Union government led by Prime Minister Narendra Modi. This unprecedented decision marks a significant shift in the administration of national-level public examinations, aiming to uphold the integrity and fairness of the academic assessment process.

The anti-paper leak law, introduced to curb the rampant issue of examination malpractices, reflects the government’s commitment to maintaining a transparent and secure examination system. The cancellation of UGC-NET underlines the stringent measures being implemented to protect the credibility of educational assessments. As stakeholders grapple with the implications, this move is expected to set a precedent for the conduct of other national examinations, reinforcing the importance of ethical practices in the Indian education system.

“This unprecedented decision marks a significant shift in the administration of national-level public examinations, aiming to uphold the integrity and fairness of our academic assessment process. The anti-paper leak law, introduced to curb rampant examination malpractices, reflects our government’s commitment to maintaining a transparent and secure examination system. The cancellation of UGC-NET underlines the stringent measures being implemented to protect the credibility of our educational assessments. As we grapple with the implications, this move is expected to set a precedent for the conduct of other national examinations, reinforcing the importance of ethical practices in our education system,” Rumaisa Sultan, UGC NET aspirant tells Media India Group.