NEET-UG 2024 : Supreme Court Refuses To Stay Declaration Of NEET Results Over Alleged Paper Leak

The Supreme Court today (May 17) refused to grant a stay on the results of the National Eligibility cum Entrance Test (NEET-UG) 2024 exam, while agreeing to issue notice on the PIL seeking NEET UG exams to be conducted afresh in light of the alleged malpractices and paper leak of the exam.  

The bench of CJI DY Chandrachud comprising Justices JB Pardiwala and Manoj Misra agreed to consider the matter and posted it for hearing after the summer vacations(in July). The CJI however noted that the results of 'an all-India exam' cannot be stayed at the moment. 

Senior Advocate Mr Narendre Hooda appeared for the petitioners who have alleged that there has been a paper leak of the NEET UG exams and that this would amount to unfair practices hampering the quality of the result. 

The Petitioners contend the examination held on May 5 by the National Testing Agency (NTA) was riddled with malpractices as various instances of paper leak came to the knowledge of the Petitioner. The alleged paper leak was violative of Article 14 as it gave an undue advantage to some candidates over others who chose to attempt the exam in a fair manner. 

"The NEET UG paper leak infringes upon the fundamental right to equality and equal opportunities guaranteed under Article 14 of the Constitution of India as paper leak gives unfair advantage to some selected group of students, thereby compromising the rights of other meritorious students. It is respectfully submitted that paper leak undermines the merit-based selection process for medical colleges, affecting the future of countless aspiring doctors. The leakage skews the results in favour of those who had access to the leaked papers, disregarding the efforts of honest and meritorious candidates. The importance of the said examination is detailed hereunder." 

The main reliefs sought by the Petitioner include the following : 

(a.)issue a writ, order or direction in nature of Mandamus directing Respondent No.2 to conduct fresh NEET UG examination-2024 after adopting necessary measures to prevent paper leak and other malpractice;

(b.) issue a writ, order or direction(s) in the nature of Mandamus directing all the States to submit status reports concerning NEET UG 2024 paper leak in their respective jurisdiction;

(c.) issue appropriate guidelines to prevent any further incidents of paper leaks or administrative errors.;

(d.) issue a writ, order or direction(s) in the nature of Mandamus directing all the States to setup SITs to investigate the incidents of NEET UG 2024 paper leak and submit reports in time bound manner;

(e.) Any other appropriate writ, order or direction as this Hon'ble Court may deem just and proper under the facts and circumstances of the case.

Case Details : Vanshika Yadav v. UOI W.P.(C) No. 000335 - / 2024