Following the announcement of the NEET-UG results, on June 4th, parents and students have raised concerns about the examination process. The National Testing Agency (NTA) has attributed the increase in scores to changes in NCERT textbooks and the provision of grace marks to compensate for time lost at exam centres. The NTA reiterated its commitment to fair seat allocation through a tie-breaking formula, prioritizing candidates based on their performance in Biology, Chemistry, and Physics.
The NEET-UG 2024 results showed a significant rise in scores, with 67 students attaining the coveted all-India rank one. This unprecedented outcome has raised questions about the normalization criteria used by the NTA, particularly since multiple students from the same centres secured top ranks. Notably, six students with full marks have consecutive seat numbers and are from Haryana, suggesting they may have taken the exam at the same centre.
According to an official of the NTA, four factors contributed to the controversy surrounding the NEET-UG 2024 results. First, addressing student and high court concerns about time lost during exams led to the implementation of a Supreme Court-endorsed formula in 2018, which compensated affected candidates with grace marks. Second, regarding discrepancies in answers due to differences between old and new NCERT textbooks, students who selected either correct option were awarded additional marks. Consequently, 44 students’ scores increased to 720, resulting in more top rankers. Third, in response to queries about top performers from the same examination centre, the official suggested that time loss issues at certain centres might have benefited students through revised marks obtained as compensation. Lastly, the official emphasized that this year’s relatively easier question paper also contributed to the overall increase in scores.
