The National Testing Agency (NTA) has postponed the National Eligibility cum Entrance Test-Undergraduate (NEET-UG) counseling until further notice, sources have confirmed. The counseling was initially scheduled to start on Saturday, July 6. New dates for the NEET-UG counseling will be announced soon.
This decision follows the Supreme Court’s refusal last month to stay or postpone the NEET-UG counseling, stating it is not an “open and shut” case. The court also issued notices to the NTA and the Centre regarding petitions seeking cancellation of the exam over the alleged paper leak.
The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) is probing the case, with several arrests already made in connection to the leak. Approximately 24 lakh medical aspirants appeared for the NEET-UG 2024, conducted by the NTA on May 5. The results were declared on June 4, ten days ahead of the scheduled announcement on June 14.
Following the results, allegations of a paper leak and other irregularities surfaced, especially after several candidates achieved a perfect score of 720 marks. Many of these candidates reportedly took the exam at the same center in Haryana.
The controversy gained momentum as the Opposition raised the issue in Parliament, demanding a thorough probe and discussion. However, the government declined to debate the NEET issue, stating no other issue had been discussed during the Motion of Thanks in the House.
In related news, the National Board of Examinations in Medical Sciences (NBEMS) has announced a new date for the NEET-PG examination 2024. The exam, originally scheduled for June 23, will now be held on August 11 in two shifts. This postponement was also a “precautionary measure” following the NEET-UG paper leak controversy.
