NEET-UG Retest For 1,563 Candidates Today After Grace Marks Withdrawal: Here's All That Has Happened So Far

In background of raging controversy, the National Eligibility-cum-Entrance Test (NEET-UG) retest for 1,563 candidates is being held today (23 June) after the testing agency had retracted the grace marks previously awarded to them to compensate for lost time.

The NEET-UG retest is taking place at seven centres, with six being new locations.

According to a report from NDTV, officials from the National Testing Agency (NTA) and the Education Ministry will be present at these centres to ensure the exam proceeds smoothly.

On 13 June, the testing agency had informed the Supreme Court that the scorecards of 1,563 candidates who received grace marks in the NEET-UG 2024 exam would be canceled.

These candidates had the option to retake the exam today (23 June), with results to be declared before 30 June, or forgo the compensatory marks awarded for the loss of time.

The original exam was held on 5 May, and results were announced on 4 June, earlier than the scheduled date of 14 June, after which protests erupted due to alleged irregularities and paper leaks, as 67 students achieved a perfect score of 720.

Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan had ruled out the cancellation of NEET, stating that he could not jeopardise the careers of many students who had rightfully passed the exam due to "isolated incidents of malpractices."

On Saturday, the Centre replaced National Testing Agency (NTA) Director General Subodh Singh and established a seven-member panel led by former ISRO chief K Radhakrishnan to review the agency's operations and suggest exam reforms.

The government has also implemented a stringent law to curb malpractices and irregularities in competitive exams, with a maximum jail term of 10 years and fines of up to Rs 1 crore for offenders.

Amidst the controversy surrounding the NEET-UG 2024, the Health Ministry has also decided to postpone the NEET-Post Graduate exam, which was also scheduled for today.

Also Read: Centre Postpones NEET-PG Exam Days After Cancelling UGC-NET — Here's Why