NEET-UG controversy: Amid demand for CBI probe, Minister Dharmendra Pradhan says no child’s career will be in jeopardy

Amid demand for a probe monitored by the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) and the Supreme Court into the ongoing NEET-UG exam controversy, Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan on Friday said that no child’s career will be in jeopardy.

The National Testing Agency (NTA) on Thursday cancelled the grace marks given to 1,563 candidates amid allegations of irregularities and inflated marks and said that a retest will be conducted on June 23 for the students who received grace marks, and results will be declared before June 30.

Also Read: Retest for 1,563 candidates, political slugfest: Here is all you need to know about NEET controversy

Meanwhile, Pradhan said that the central government is committed to protecting the interests of NEET examinees.

“I want to assure the students that all their concerns will be addressed with fairness and equity. No student will be at a disadvantage and no child’s career will be at jeopardy (sic),” Pradhan said in a post on X

He further stated that facts related to the NEET examination are in cognisance of the Supreme Court.

“Central government will take all necessary actions for the well-being of students as per the directions of the Hon’ble Supreme Court,” Pradhan added.

Also Read: NEET UG 2024: ‘It’s a nightmare’, 6 perfect scorers in Haryana worried after NTA withdraw grace marks

The minister said the counselling process of NEET will be underway soon, and it is of utmost importance to move ahead in this direction without any confusion.

Hearing a PIL filed by Hiten Singh Kashyap, the Supreme Court on Friday sought responses from the Centre and the NTA on a plea seeking a CBI probe into irregularities in the exam.

A vacation bench of Justices Vikram Nath and Sandeep Mehta also sought responses from the CBI and the Bihar government within two weeks.

Also Read: NEET UG 2024 result row: NTA clarifies medical aspirant Ayushi Patel’s claim, ‘No torn OMR answer sheet sent…’

Slamming the central government, Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge said the future of 24 lakh students appearing in the NEET examination is at stake due to the actions of the Narendra Modi-led government.

Earlier this week, Maharashtra Congress president Nana Patole also demanded a probe by the central agency.