The Supreme Court is likely to announce its final verdict on the NEET PG 2024 counselling-related petitions today, January 8, 2025. The case, initially set for January 7, was postponed due to other ongoing legal proceedings. The bench, consisting of Justices BR Gavai and AG Masih, instructed the petitioners to bring up the matter the following day, stating, "If counselling is over, we will dispose of the matter. It's not like we will order fresh counselling."
Background of the Petition
The petitions surrounding NEET PG 2024 have been centered around transparency and fairness in the examination process. Petitioners have raised concerns about the release of answer keys and question papers, seeking clarity on the changes to the exam format introduced just before the test. The petition also challenges the last-minute alteration of the exam pattern, questioning its alignment with National Board of Examinations (NBE) guidelines.
Timeline of Events Leading to Today’s Hearing
The controversy over NEET PG 2024 began following the exam held in August 2024, where several irregularities were alleged. A group of 19 candidates filed a petition in September, seeking the disclosure of raw scores and challenging the normalisation method used to calculate results. The shift to a two-session exam format also raised concerns over its fairness, especially since the change occurred just three days before the exam.
On September 11, the Supreme Court, led by then-Chief Justice DY Chandrachud, asked the National Board of Examinations in Medical Sciences (NBEMS) for a response to the allegations. Subsequently, on September 20, the Court expressed concern over the timing of the changes to the exam format, which had never been implemented before.
Delays and Impact on Counselling
The legal battle has faced multiple delays. The case, originally scheduled for a hearing in late September, has been postponed multiple times, pushing the hearing to October and November 2024. This has created significant uncertainty for NEET PG 2024 candidates, with counselling processes in states like Telangana, Madhya Pradesh, and Rajasthan facing disruptions.
The delays have exacerbated frustrations with the lack of resolution, with many candidates demanding a more transparent and fair exam process. Allegations of question paper leaks, unexplained delays, and the refusal of the NBEMS to release answer keys have further fueled these concerns.
What to Expect from Today’s Verdict
While the petitioners have pushed for the annulment of the changes and a fresh counselling session, the Supreme Court bench has indicated that no new NEET PG 2024 counselling sessions will be ordered. This suggests that the court may uphold the ongoing process despite the concerns raised by candidates.
Today's final order will provide clarity on whether any compensatory measures, reforms, or adjustments will be made to the NEET PG 2024 counselling process. Candidates and stakeholders eagerly await the outcome, which will shape the immediate future of the exam cycle and any potential reforms in the examination system.
What’s Next?
As the final order approaches, the future of NEET PG 2024 candidates hangs in the balance. With the court's decision today, the medical community and aspiring candidates await clarity on the legal and administrative hurdles surrounding the exam.
