NEET sanctity hit, says SC; seeks govt, NTA response on plea for fresh exam

Observing that the sanctity of NEET-UG, 2024 has been affected, the Supreme Court on Tuesday sought responses from the Centre and the National Testing Agency (NTA) on a plea seeking holding of a fresh examination on grounds of alleged question paper leak and other malpractices. The top court, however, refused to stay the counselling of successful candidates for admissions to MBBS, BDS and other courses. Taking note of the allegations, a vacation bench of Justice Vikram Nath and Justice Ahsanuddin Amanullah said what the NTA was supposed to do was sacrosanct. "Sanctity (of the exam) has been affected, so we need answers," he said. Besides the Centre and the NTA, which conducts NEET-UG, the bench also issued notices to the Bihar government. There were allegations of malpractice in holding the exam in the state. "How much time do you want...Immediately on the re-opening? Otherwise, the counselling will start," the bench said. It tagged the plea filed by Shivangi Mishra and nine other