In the NEET-UG 2024 retest exam, only 813 out of 1,563 candidates eligible for a retest appeared on June 23, 2024 as reported by the National Testing Agency (NTA). The retest was mandated for those awarded grace marks due to 'loss of time'. Across seven centers in states including Chhattisgarh, Gujarat, and Haryana, 750 candidates opted out of the examination.

Grace Marks to be Removed

Earlier this month, the NTA had come under scrutiny for awarding grace marks in a manner deemed non-transparent, leading to concerns over fairness. Following a Supreme Court directive, candidates who skipped the retest will have their original scores, minus grace marks, considered. Meanwhile, those who appeared will have their revised scores from the retest evaluated.

63 Candidates Barred from the Exam

The controversy surrounding NEET-UG 2024 deepened with allegations of a paper leak, prompting the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) to file an FIR based on a complaint from the Education Ministry. 63 candidates were barred from the exam in connection with these allegations.

In response to the uproar, a seven-member reform committee, chaired by former ISRO Chairman K Radhakrishnan, has been appointed to investigate lapses by the NTA. The committee aims to propose measures to strengthen the examination process and is expected to submit its findings within two months.

NEET-UG, a crucial entrance test for medical aspirants nationwide, witnessed approximately 24 lakh students participating in the May 5 exam. The declaration of results on June 4, 2024 marked by unusually high perfect scores and a raised cutoff, intensified anxieties among candidates regarding their prospects for securing admission to medical colleges.