Supreme Court Demands Transparency in NEET PG Evaluation Amidst Mounting Concerns

In a pivotal move, the Supreme Court of India has taken significant cognizance of petitions advocating for enhanced transparency and a more equitable evaluation process for the highly competitive National Eligibility-cum-Entrance Test (Postgraduate) – NEET PG. This crucial decision sees the apex court issuing a formal notice to the National Board of Examinations in Medical Sciences (NBEMS) and the Union Government, demanding responses to the serious allegations raised by the petitioners.

The heart of the matter lies in the petitioners' claims of an opaque evaluation system and the glaring absence of a robust re-evaluation mechanism.

With the careers of aspiring medical professionals hanging in the balance, a lack of clarity in scoring and the inability to scrutinize results has fueled widespread concern and dissatisfaction among candidates. The pleas, spearheaded by individuals including a concerned doctor, highlight that the current framework leaves ample room for arbitrary marking and potential discrepancies.

One of the central demands put forth by the petitioners is the imperative need for access to their Optical Mark Recognition (OMR) answer sheets and the official answer keys.

Such access, they argue, is fundamental to verifying their scores independently and ensuring the accuracy and fairness of the evaluation. This aligns with principles of natural justice, which dictate that individuals should have the means to challenge decisions that directly impact their future.

The petitions emphatically state that the current system, devoid of a clear re-evaluation process, stands in direct contravention of established legal precedents and fundamental rights.

Given the monumental stakes associated with securing a postgraduate medical seat, the absence of a transparent and verifiable evaluation method is deemed both arbitrary and unjust. The petitioners have also drawn parallels with previous Supreme Court rulings that have consistently emphasized the paramount importance of transparency in all public examinations.

This development by the Supreme Court sends a clear message: the integrity of high-stakes examinations like NEET PG cannot be compromised.

The court's intervention underscores the judiciary's commitment to upholding fairness, accountability, and transparency in processes that determine the future of countless young professionals, paving the way for potential reforms that could instill greater trust and confidence in the NEET PG evaluation system.