The hearing of the NEET-PG case in the Supreme Court which was scheduled on October 4, 2024, has been postponed as Chief Justice of India (CJI) DY Chandrachud is on leave now. Thus, a new date for the hearing might be on or after October 14 after the Supreme Court’s Dussehra vacation.
This ongoing legal issue dates back to a petition filed by 19 NEET-PG candidates that the National Board of Examinations release the answer key concerning the NEET-PG examination conducted in the year 2024. Release of the answer key is also an important part of maintaining transparency in the examination process as it provides candidates with an opportunity to check their answers and helps in making those accountable for any possible mistakes in scoring. It has also sought a response on why the wait time for the counseling process of 2024 NEET-PG admissions is being prolonged.
Case History and Importance
NEET-PG (National Eligibility cum Entrance Test for Postgraduates) is a mandatory exam for medical graduates who wish to apply to postgraduate programs all over India. NEET-PG is one such exam that has been a nerve-racking, anxiety-fortifying part of the lives of thousands of medical aspirants over the years. Even small errors made in the process of examination or counseling may ruin the careers of hundreds or thousands of aspirants and hence it also works as a landmark case for not only the petitioners but for everyone preparing for Medical Examinations.
Over the past several years, however, there have been mounting concerns about the exam’s evaluation process. One of the reasons is that NEET PG does not release its answer key beforehand, unlike many other competitive exams which means why should we trust their results? According to the petitioners, if the answer key is released, it would result in fairness for candidates as they can verify their answers and raise any discrepancies for challenge.
An October 10, 2024 date was fixed as the next hearing, after the previous court appearance on September 27 ended in a stalemate over the absence of Union of India representatives. However, since the NBE in line with its principles submitted a response that satisfied the Honourable Supreme Court, the absence of certain stakeholders prevented further progress in the case. In that hearing, Senior Advocate Vibha Makhija (Counsel for Petitioners) brought to light the court the lack of counseling information. The discussion was then deferred by the CJI, saying it could only take place in the presence of a Union of India representative.
Impact Of Delay On Medical Aspirants
In the long run, not only is the suspension of NEET-PG counseling creating disarray but also further deferment by the Supreme Court regarding the same has put the multitude of students in limbo. Some of these students who have been preparing for their postgraduation for years have no idea when they will start with the fellowship. The HCC students may have to delay their academic plans not just for the near future but possibly even for many years as it could affect them in their long-term careers within the healthcare field.
Candidates and aspirants around the country continue to express their anger over many cancellations. Before the original court date, the arrest was that it would potentially help to clear up some of the continuing confusion about what secondary counseling systems meet and when. However, with the challenge also pushed back until mid-October, fears are increasing over which schools will receive counseling sessions.
In addition, delaying counseling can also breach the academic calendar for postgraduate medical courses. In almost all cases, admissions are confirmed long before this time so that students can start to take courses at the beginning of the next academic term. If the legal appeals do not speed up, there is a danger that many courses may be delayed by several months in starting.
Legal Battle for Transparency
At the crux of this case lies the issue of transparency from NBE. Candidates for the AIPGDEE and their lawyers submitted that entrusting access to solutions of examination would be a step towards making the evaluation mechanism more accountable and transparent. Despite the refusal of NBE to give away the key, petitioners think that this lack of transparency damages BON’s credibility and opens doors for possible errors while giving marks.
The question of whether the answer key for the exam should be released or not has been embroiled in a larger debate centered around transparency and fairness in competitive exams conducted in India. With competition to get into schools growing, students and their families put in a ton of time, money, and emotional energy studying for these tests. Creating transparency and legitimacy within the evaluation process is an issue of justice: it is also an essential measure for ensuring confidence in the whole education system.
And now, what on earth will the petitioners do next?
While the hearing is getting postponed after the Dussehra holidays, the petitioners are still optimistic that the Supreme Court will pass an order in their favor for releasing the answer key. But that would be even more impactful if we manage to secure a court order, the delay in counseling remains a critical factor that may go either way. Students pursuing medicine across the country are horror-struck by these developments and pray for an immediate solution to not face (further) hurdles in their academic or professional careers.
Since the Supreme Court is adjourned up to October 14, 2024, it brings very little clarity as to how this case will proceed. This gives everyone else another date to circle in their appointment books, as candidates, universities, and medical institutions alike will wait with bated breath to hear possible outcomes.
Final Thoughts
SDP: At one point, it is NEET-PG Supreme Court matter, which is an urgent thing for all medical aspirants who are in India. Exposes the nature and scale of opacity in competitive exams that, otherwise claims to be deeply transparent, and the rippling after effects organizational as well as quasi-judicial sloth can produce. This case as it continues to unfold is a clarion call for accountability in educational testing and an important reminder of the judiciary’s function in providing equal justice to all students.
The delay in the hearing may appear to be just another hurdle in an already long process, however, whatever position the SC takes will influence the way exams such as NEET-PG are held. In the meantime, candidates can do nothing but pray for a just and quick resolution in the court of law.