NEET retest for 1,563 candidates amid paper leak row, 813 appear

NEET: The National Testing Agency (NTA) conducted a retest of the NEET-UG examination for 813 of the 1,563 eligible candidates at six centres in four states and a Union Territory on Sunday amid the paper leak row. NTA and Union Education Ministry officials were present at the examination centres.

The retest took place from 2 pm to 5:20 pm. Nearly 50 per cent or 750 candidates did not appear for the NEET-UG examination. The exam was conducted after the NTA withdrew grace marks awarded to students who were compensated for loss of time due to delay in the start of the examination at six centres in Meghalaya, Haryana, Chhattisgarh, Gujarat and Chandigarh.

The re-conduct of the NEET-UG exam was announced following allegations of irregularities in the medical entrance exam, including paper leaks.

Six students scored perfect 720 marks along with 61 others, leading to allegations of inflation of marks.

“While all other examination centres have changed, the one in Chandigarh, where only two candidates will appear, will remain the same,” said a senior NTA official.

“Besides, officials from the agency and the Union Education Ministry will also be present at these centres. The step has been taken to ensure smooth conduct of the re-exam,” the official added.

On Thursday, Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan ruled out the cancellation of NEET exams for now, saying the government cannot jeopardise the careers of lakhs of students who cleared the exam rightfully because of isolated incidents of malpractices.

Earlier, the NEET-PG exam, which was scheduled to take place today, was postponed, with the Ministry of Health saying the decision was taken as a precautionary measure to maintain the integrity of the entrance exam.

The ministry said it had decided to conduct a thorough assessment of the examination processes to ensure their robustness and fairness. A fresh date for the examination will be announced at the earliest.

The NEET-PG was the second competitive exam to be postponed after the UGC-NET was cancelled due to the exam paper being leaked on the darknet.

(with inputs from PTI)

ALSO READ: Molecule53 Launches The Only Skincare Serum Duo You Will Ever Need