Noida June 28, 2024: Supreme Court has raised questions about the locus standi, or legal standing, of a coaching centre that has filed a writ petition alleging grievances related to the National Eligibility cum Entrance Test (NEET) for undergraduate medical admissions.
The apex court bench initially questioned the coaching centre’s right to file a petition under Article 32 of the Constitution, which allows direct access to the Supreme Court for the enforcement of fundamental rights. The court sought a response from the National Testing Agency (NTA), the body responsible for conducting NEET, on the issues raised by the coaching centre and students.
Key Concerns Raised in the Petition
The key concerns raised in the petition include issues with the Optical Mark Recognition (OMR) answer sheets and the inclusion of questions that were allegedly outside the prescribed syllabus for the NEET UG 2024 exam. The coaching centre argued that these irregularities have adversely affected the performance of students and have led to a lack of transparency in the examination process.
The Court’s Skepticism
However, the Supreme Court expressed skepticism about the coaching centre’s standing to file the petition, questioning whether it had the necessary locus standi to represent the interests of the students. The court noted that the coaching centre’s primary interest may be commercial, rather than a genuine concern for the welfare of the students.
NTA’s Response
NTA, in its response, will be required to address the specific grievances raised in the petition and provide clarity on the issues related to the OMR sheets and the syllabus coverage. The court’s decision on the locus standi of the coaching centre will be crucial in determining the future course of the proceedings.
Significance of NEET
NEET UG exam is a highly competitive entrance test for admission to undergraduate medical and dental programs in India. The exam is conducted annually by the NTA, and the results are used by various state and central government authorities to allocate seats in medical and dental colleges.
Implications and Outlook
The issues raised in the current petition highlight the ongoing challenges and concerns surrounding the NEET examination process. The Supreme Court’s intervention and the NTA’s response will be closely watched by students, parents, and the medical education community, as they seek to ensure a fair and transparent examination system.
As the legal proceedings unfold, the focus will be on addressing the specific grievances raised and ensuring that the interests of the students are protected. The outcome of this case may have broader implications for the conduct of NEET and other national-level entrance examinations in the future.
