Today on July 8,2024, the Supreme Court expressed concern over the alleged leak of the NEET UG 2024 question paper. Chief Justice of India DY Chandrachud, leading a three-judge bench, emphasized the seriousness of the issue, demanding clarity on the number of beneficiaries of the leaked questions and actions taken against them.

The bench, including Justices JB Pardiwala and Manoj Misra, directed the National Testing Agency (NTA), which conducted the exam, to disclose details about the leak. The next hearing on this matter is scheduled for July 11, 2024.

Lawyers representing petitioners seeking cancellation of the exam cited concerns over paper leaks, OMR sheet manipulation, impersonation, and cheating. CJI Chandrachud warned that if leaks were facilitated through social media platforms like Telegram and WhatsApp, a re-test may be necessary.

In response, the Union government opposed the idea of scrapping the entire NEET UG 2024 exam, stating it would unfairly impact honest candidates. The Ministry of Education acknowledged irregularities but denied large-scale breaches, arguing against cancelling the exam entirely.

The court proceedings underscore the ongoing debate between ensuring exam integrity and safeguarding the interests of students who took the test legitimately.