The NEET (National Eligibility cum Entrance Test) controversy is intensifying, with lakhs of students and their parents clamoring for a court-monitored, time-bound CBI enquiry into the exam and its results. Thousands of students have taken to the streets, and social media is abuzz with posts highlighting NEET irregularities. Mainstream media is also actively uncovering new developments, adding to the turmoil.

The future of lakhs of NEET aspirants is precariously balanced, with their hopes tethered to a thin rope. As the Supreme Court is scheduled to hear the matter on July 8 after the summer vacations, the government finds itself in a defensive stance.

 Pressing Questions Demand Answers

The NEET controversy raises several serious questions that not only concern twenty-five lakh students and their parents but the entire nation:

1. Findings from Bihar Police Investigation: What revelations have come forth from the Bihar Police investigation so far?

2. NTA’s Non-cooperation: Why did the NTA not cooperate with the Economic Offences Unit of Bihar Police, and what actions have been taken against the concerned officials?

3. Unexplained Transactions in Godhra: How did students end up taking exams in Godhra, Gujarat, far from their home states? The NTA needs to explain these transactions worth crores.

4. Reopening of Registration Window: Who decided to reopen the registration window on April 9, and what was the impact? How many students registered, and what were their scores?

5. Changes in Registration Rules: Were the registration rules altered for this reopening?

6. Decision on Grace Marks: Which official decided to award grace marks for time loss, and can the minutes of that meeting be made public?

7. Mismanagement in Exam Centers*: What action did NTA take against officials responsible for mismanagement in places like Sawai Madhopur and Balod?

8. Details on Grace Marks: What was the maximum number of grace marks awarded, and did all affected students receive them?

9. Complaints and Resolutions: How many complaints about time loss were received, and how many students were awarded grace marks?

10. Publishing Exam Results: What prevents NTA from publishing the results of all students online, similar to how they shared the results of the top performers?

11. Verification of Grace Marks: Was the figure of 1563 students receiving grace marks verified by an impartial agency?

12. Counseling Schedule: Why start counseling early this year, complicating matters for students affected by the re-exam?

13. OMR Sheet Rules: Why wasn't it mandatory to circle unattempted questions in the NEET OMR sheets?

14. Response to Paper Leak: Did NTA report the paper leak to cybercrime authorities? If not, what actions were taken against those who failed to act?

15. Investigation Post FIR: What steps did NTA take after an FIR was registered regarding the paper leak from its custody?

The Need for Transparency and Accountability

Incidents like these may occur, involving various people in the exam process. However, the refusal of the NTA to cooperate with investigative agencies, denial of wrongdoing without a preliminary investigation, and lack of transparency raise serious concerns. The NTA's actions, or lack thereof, suggest a systematic issue rather than an isolated incident.

 The Way Forward

To restore trust and ensure fairness, the following steps are crucial:

The court's decision on July 8 will be critical. Until then, immediate and transparent actions are necessary to uphold the integrity of the examination system and the future of NEET aspirants.