NEET (UG) 2024 Results & Way Forward: Explainer

NEET (UG) Result : The confusion  around the NEET (UG) 2024 results has been growing post the declaration of the NEET (UG) Results on 4th June 2024. Despite the scheduled announcement of the NEET result on June 14, NTA’s decision to declare the results on June 4, was seen by some as unusual. 

With 67 candidates scoring a perfect 720/720 marks and getting an AIR Rank 1 in the NEET (UG) Result 2024, speculations around a paper leak also gained ground in some quarters.

However, this is not the first time the NEET(UG) exam has been in the news, the exam has faced intense scrutiny in the past as well because of the number of students who appear for this exam which is considered as a gateway to a career in medicine.

NEET (UG) 2024 - Highlights

The NTA conducted the NEET (UG) exam on 5 May 2024 for more than 24 lakh candidates at 4750 test centres in 571 cities. The examination was also conducted in 14 cities outside the country.

In a press release on June 4, 2024 NTA released the following Category -wise Cut-offs

The Facts around the NEET (UG) Results

The discussions around the unusual pattern observed in the results  began when the exam results were announced 10 days earlier than planned, coinciding with the Lok Sabha Election counting. Moreover, this year saw a surge in the number of candidates achieving AIR 1, with a remarkable 67 candidates securing a perfect score of 720/720. Given the NEET (UG) exam's marking scheme of +4 for correct answers and -1 for incorrect ones, it was seen by many as improbable for candidates to have scored 717, 718 or 719 marks. 

Candidates have also raised concerns about paper leaks. Additionally, the compensation of grace marks for the loss of exam time in certain cases has been deemed unfair by some.

NEET (UG) Results: NTA’s Response

The National Testing Agency has, however, denied any such irregularities in a  Press Release issued on its official website on June 5. The NTA stated that the increased cutoffs were a result of the superior performance of the candidates this year. 

In response to the Writ Petitions filed by the candidates with the Honorable High Courts of Punjab & Haryana, Delhi, and Chhattisgarh, addressing concerns over exam time loss during at select Exam Centers, the NTA stated that loss of time was ascertained from CCTV footage and 1563 candidates were compensated and the revised marks of such candidates vary from -20 to 720 marks. Thus, ensuring that the integrity of the exam remained uncompromised. Amongst these 2 candidates happened to score 718 and 719 owing to the compensatory marks.

NTA attributes the increase in the number of candidates to have led to the increased number of toppers. In the NEET (UG) exam 2023, a total of  20,38,596 Candidates had appeared whereas in 2024 it increased to 23,33,297.

NTA had received 13,373 challenges regarding the provisional answer key of one question in Physics. This discrepancy arose  from variances between the old and the new edition of NCERT textbook. Consequently, the experts recommended taking two options as correct in place of one option for this Question. As per NTA, among the 67 who scored 720/720 , 44 benefitted from the revision of one question in the Physics Answer Key while 6 received marks for the loss of time during exam. Regarding the early declaration of the NEET (UG) result by 10 days, NTA emphasized their practice of promptly releasing the results and assured full transparency. NTA has refuted any claims of paper leak. Action has been taken against candidates involved in  UFM cases  by either cancellation of their candidature and future debarment from NTA examinations.

What Awaits Next on the Road Ahead?

Students have urged the Government to investigate the irregularities. With much uproar in the NEET (UG) 2024 Results, it is also crucial to prioritize candidates' mental well-being due to the stress induced by such situations, ensuring they do not resort to drastic measures. Amid the ongoing debate on the irregularities in NEET(UG) exam, it is being expected by students at large that NTA, which has earlier also faced criticism on some occassions, will take the necessary steps to clear any doubts that may be there in the minds of those awaiting full clarity on the situation and the way forward.