Will the SC Address Concerns Over NEET-PG's New Disclosure Mechanism?
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Synopsis
The Supreme Court prepares to hear a PIL by NEET-PG 2025 aspirants challenging a recent NBEMS notice. The petitioners argue that the new disclosure format undermines transparency and fairness in the admissions process. This case raises critical questions about the integrity of high-stakes examinations and candidates' rights to access their evaluation data.
Key Takeaways
- Supreme Court hearing on NEET-PG disclosure.
- Petitioners challenge NBEMS' corrective notice.
- Concerns over transparency and fairness in evaluation.
- Call for candidate-wise response disclosures.
- Implications for medical aspirants highlighted.
New Delhi, Aug 31 (NationPress) The Supreme Court is set to deliberate on a public interest litigation (PIL) filed by a collective of NEET-PG 2025 aspirants, contesting a "corrective notice" issued by the National Board of Examinations in Medical Sciences (NBEMS) on August 21.
The petitioners, who are qualified medical professionals, argue that the new answer key disclosure mechanism is "opaque, unintelligible and incapable of meaningful verification".
According to the causelist available on the Apex Court's website, a Bench comprising Chief Justice of India (CJI) BR Gavai and Justice K. Vinod Chandran will address the matter on September 1.
This corrective notice modified NBEMS' earlier circular, stipulating that candidate responses and answer keys would only be displayed in relation to 'Question ID Numbers' derived from a master question paper.
Given that the examination was administered with a randomized sequence of questions and options, the petitioners contend that this format hinders their ability to achieve a "clear and candidate-wise mapped view of the questions actually attempted by them".
They assert, "It frustrates the very object of publishing answer keys and responses, which is to enable candidates to cross-check their answers, raise objections against discrepancies, and ensure transparency in evaluation of a high-stakes national examination", as stated in their petition.
The petition further argues that the Question-ID-only system makes the disclosure "illusory and non-verifiable" and infringes upon Articles 14 and 21 of the Constitution by denying candidates a fair and transparent admission process.
Filed by advocate Satyam Singh, the plea underscores that candidates are not requesting a re-evaluation of their answer sheets; rather, their concern is limited to the method and format of disclosure.
The petition demands that the disclosure must encompass: (i) The questions in the order actually attempted, (ii) the candidate’s responses, (iii) the official correct answers, and (iv) the marks awarded.
Referencing previous judicial mandates concerning transparency in NEET-PG evaluations, the petition recalls that the Supreme Court had previously ordered the disclosure of raw scores, answer keys, and the normalization formula.
It also highlights that other competitive examinations, including IIT-JEE, CLAT, and AIIMS INI-CET, adhere to candidate-wise response disclosure practices.
With a significant number of medical graduates vying for limited postgraduate seats, the petitioners argue that unless the Apex Court issues corrective directives, the "sanctity of NEET-PG will remain compromised".
The plea seeks a declaration that the NBEMS corrective notice is unconstitutional to the extent that it mandates only Question ID-based disclosure without a candidate-wise sequence, and further requests the publication of the actual questions as viewed by each candidate, along with the corresponding correct answer key and marked responses, coupled with a reasonable mechanism to raise objections.
Point of View
I recognize the urgency surrounding the NEET-PG disclosure controversy. The petitioners' call for transparency reflects a broader demand for fairness in competitive examinations. Upholding the principles of justice is paramount, especially in the context of an examination that shapes the future of countless medical graduates. The Nation stands with candidates seeking a fair and accountable process.
NationPress
01/09/2025
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the main concern of the NEET-PG aspirants?
The main concern is the lack of transparency in the new answer key disclosure mechanism introduced by NBEMS, which the aspirants argue is opaque and prevents meaningful verification.
When will the Supreme Court hear the plea?
The Supreme Court is scheduled to hear the plea on September 1.
What do the petitioners want from the Supreme Court?
The petitioners seek a declaration that the NBEMS notice is unconstitutional and demand a transparent disclosure of their exam responses, correct answers, and a means to raise objections.
How does this situation affect NEET-PG candidates?
Without corrective measures, the credibility of the NEET-PG examination process could be compromised, impacting candidates' trust in the system.
What other examinations follow similar disclosure practices?
Other competitive exams like IIT-JEE, CLAT, and AIIMS INI-CET have established practices for candidate-wise response disclosure, setting a precedent for transparency.
