Considering the suggestion of the National Testing Agency, the Supreme Court on Thursday cancelled the grace marks awarded to over 1,500 students to compensate for the loss of time during the NEET-UG 2024 examinations. The Court ordered the agency to conduct retest for the affected students only and announce results before the counselling process for undergraduate medical courses begins. The retest is likely to be conducted on June 23.
Hearing the case on Thursday, a vacation bench comprising Justices Vikram Nath and Sandeep Mehta accepted the NTA’s suggestion that it will cancel grace marks awarded to as many as 1,563 students, to compensate for the loss of time in examinations. The agency said it would release revised scores for these students, their original scores without grace marks. Following complaints, the higher education ministry had constituted a four-member panel to look into alleged irregularities raised by aspirants.
Pronouncing the judgment, Justice Nath said, “It has been suggested that score cards of affected 1,563 candidates will stand cancelled and withdrawn. These candidates will be informed their actual scores, without compensatory marks. Re-exam will be conducted for the affected 1,563 candidates. Results of those who don't wish to re-appear will be declared based on actual marks,” Live Law reported.
The re-examination date, likely on June 23 will be notified on Thursday itself, Court said. The results should be declared ahead of counselling so that the admission process is not affected, the Court observed.
The apex court will hear pleas regarding the cancellation of NEET-UG 2024 examinations and allegations of malpractices on July 8.
