High NEET-UG 24 Scores Majorly Due To Reduction In Syllabus; Wrong To Say Top Scorers Are From Certain Centres : NTA To Supreme Court
The National Testing Agency (NTA), in its affidavit filed in the NEET-UG 2024 case, has submitted that the allegations of students scoring high marks exclusively from certain centres are “unsubstantiated”.
To strengthen this, the testing agency cited an analysis of the top 100 candidates' results. Based on this, it was submitted that the top results were distributed across 95 centres located in 56 cities.
“This diverse distribution highlights the widespread participation and competitive spirit among students from different regions and educational backgrounds.,” the affidavit said.
The NTA also stated that the reduced syllabus resulted in a high number of students scoring full marks.
"The most prominent factor in 61 candidates scoring 720/720 is due to the reduction in the syllabus, which was done to enable the candidates to focus on the core concepts and to alleviate pressure on students who faced challenges in completing their studies due to pandemic in 2019-20."
The affidavit also highlighted that the number of candidates appearing for the exam has increased to 23,33,297, compared to 20,38,596 last year. In view of this, the NTA submitted that this increase in the number of candidates was one of the factors for the high percentile among students.
“Therefore, the mark interval is nominal and only due to an increase in the number of candidates. In this regard, a comparative analysis has been made in the form of graphical representations to show that the candidate counts of both the years, against the mark's interval is nominal and only due to the increase in the candidate count.”
Another important factor, as submitted, was a reduction in the syllabus, which was done to enable candidates to focus on the core concepts. Another reason for this reduction was that it would alleviate pressure on students who faced challenges due to the pandemic in 2019-20.
“The syllabus was reduced by approximately 22-25% compared to last year, removing difficult and time- consuming chapters like P Block in chemistry and conceptual chapters in biology. It is submitted that this reduction significantly lessened the burden of studies on students, focusing on a more concise syllabus, which benefited the candidates in preparing for the examination effectively and comprehensively.”
Further, it was also submitted that the question papers were based on universally used books. One of the main objectives cited for doing so was to reduce reliance on the coaching institutions.
“Though the syllabus was reduced, the time remained the same and so did the choice of questions in Section B of each subject in the Question paper. Therefore, the candidates appearing in NEET (UG) 2024 were administered a QP which was balanced, based out of a reduced syllabus and was to be attempted in 03 hrs 20 minutes.,” the affidavit added.
Lastly, the NTA submitted that the increase in cut-off marks this year reflected the competitive nature of the examination and higher performance standards achieved by candidates.
This affidavit, filed by NTA, opposed the pleas for cancellation of the NEET-UG 2024 exam. The same has been filed in the case of Vanshika Yadav v. UOI. Therein, the petitioner had prayed to the Court that NEET UG exams should be conducted afresh in light of the alleged malpractices and paper leak of the exam.
Though the bench led by Chief Justice of India DY Chandrachud issued notice on that petition and posted the matter in July, the bench stated that the results of the exams held on a pan-India basis cannot be stayed.
Yesterday, the Union Government also filed an affidavit in the Supreme Court opposing the cancellation of the NEET-UG 2024 exam, saying that it is not rational to scrap the entire exam in the absence of any proof of a large-scale breach of confidentiality.
"Scrapping the exam in its entirety would seriously jeopardise the lakhs of honest candidates who attempted the question paper in 2024," stated the affidavit filed by the Union Ministry of Education ahead of the Supreme Court hearing scheduled on July 8.
NEET-UG 2024 | Giving Two Correct Options For One Question Didn't Affect Exam : NTA To Supreme Court
Case Details : Vanshika Yadav v. UOI W.P.(C) No. 000335 - / 2024