Summary
The Court declined to cancel NEET (UG) 2024 because the available material did not establish a systemic breach invalidating the examination as a whole. It directed correction of the disputed physics answer and revision of ranks, while preserving action against identified beneficiaries of malpractice. Detailed reasons were to follow.
Issues
- Whether the question-paper leaks and alleged systemic deficiencies justified cancelling NEET (UG) 2024 and holding a fresh examination.
- Which answer to the disputed physics question should govern revised results.
- How individual grievances and further findings of malpractice should be addressed.
Held
- Although leaks at Hazaribagh and Patna were undisputed, the material and city-wise and centre-wise data then available did not show a systemic breach vitiating the entire examination. Cancellation and a fresh test were not justified on that record. (¶¶ 11, 12)
- The applicable approach considers whether beneficiaries of fraud can be separated from untainted candidates. Any additional beneficiary identified by the continuing investigation must face action even after counselling; this order creates no vested right to retain an admission obtained through malpractice. (¶¶ 6, 11)
- Both alternative answers could not stand because they were mutually exclusive. Accepting the IIT Delhi experts’ determination, the Court directed NTA to treat only the option stating that Statement I is correct and Statement II incorrect as correct, revise results and update all candidates’ ranks. (¶¶ 15, 16, 17, 18, 19)
- NTA could act on the special test conducted for the students offered a choice between that test and their original marks without compensatory additions. (¶ 20)
- Individual grievances outside the resolved examination-wide issues could be pursued through appropriate remedies, including the jurisdictional High Court, after seeking withdrawal of any pending Supreme Court petition. The expert committee would remain subject to further directions in the reasoned judgment. (¶¶ 21, 22, 23, 24)
Result
Whole-examination cancellation declined; NTA directed to revise the disputed answer and ranks. Transfer petitions allowed and transferred cases disposed of subject to individual remedies. Specified petitions and applications dismissed as withdrawn with liberty; detailed reasons to follow.