NEET UG 2024: Supreme Court Orders IIT-Delhi to Determine Accurate Answer for Disputed Physics Question

On July 22, the Supreme Court of India instructed the Centre and the National Testing Agency (NTA) to clarify the correct answer for a disputed Physics question in the National Eligibility-cum-Entrance Test, Undergraduate (NEET UG) 2024. This order came amid a session addressing over 40 petitions related to the exam. To resolve the controversy, the court has appointed a three-member expert committee from IIT-Delhi to determine the scientifically accurate answer.

NEET UG 2024: Allegations and Controversies

This year's NEET UG has been marred by allegations, including claims of paper leaks and an unusually high number of top scorers. A particular question in the Physics section has been at the center of the debate. The question presented two statements about atoms:

"Atoms are electrically neutral as they contain equal numbers of positive and negative charges."
"Atoms of each element are stable and emit their characteristic spectrum."

Candidates were required to select the most appropriate answer from four options.

The provisional answer key released by the NTA on May 29 initially indicated a specific correct option. However, this answer was contested by over 10,000 candidates. The dispute centered on discrepancies between older and newer editions of the NCERT textbooks. The outdated version incorrectly stated that "Atoms of each element are stable," while the updated textbook corrected this to "most elements are stable." This inconsistency led to significant confusion among students.

During the third hearing of the case, some petitioners raised concerns about the NTA's decision to award grace marks for question number 19 in the Physics section. This decision resulted in 44 students achieving top ranks, further intensifying the controversy. The Supreme Court bench, including Chief Justice DY Chandrachud, Justice JB Pardiwala, and Justice Manoj Misra, is overseeing the proceedings.

The expert committee from IIT-Delhi has been tasked with reviewing the disputed Physics question to determine the correct scientific answer. Their findings will play a crucial role in resolving the ongoing debate and ensuring fairness in the evaluation process.

The hearing is scheduled to continue tomorrow, during which the NTA and the Centre will present additional submissions. The outcome of this case is expected to have significant implications for many students who have been affected by this issue.

This case underscores the importance of accurate educational materials and equitable assessment practices in high-stakes exams like NEET UG. Ensuring that all students are evaluated based on correct and consistent information is vital for maintaining the integrity and trust in such examinations.