NTA Clarifies NEET-UG Result Controversy Over Toppers and High Cut-Off
The National Testing Agency (NTA) has issued a detailed clarification regarding the controversy surrounding the NEET-UG results, including the unusually high cut-off marks and 67 candidates securing the top score of 720 out of 720.
The NTA said the increase in high scores was linked to a revision in the answer key, compensatory marks awarded to candidates who lost examination time, and a larger number of candidates appearing for the medical entrance examination.
Why Did 67 Candidates Score 720 Marks?
According to the NTA, 67 candidates secured the maximum score of 720 marks. The agency attributed the results to two major factors.
Of the 67 candidates, 44 candidates scored 720 marks following a revision in one Physics answer key, while six candidates received compensatory marks because of loss of examination time.
The NTA said changes in NCERT textbooks and the process of awarding compensatory marks also contributed to the higher scores.
NTA Denies Common Centre Claim
The agency also rejected reports claiming that six NEET-UG toppers were from the same examination centre in Haryana.
The NTA stated that the top-ranking candidates were from different parts of the country and denied the claim that the toppers were concentrated at a single examination centre.
NTA Explains Increase in NEET Cut-Off
Addressing concerns over the increase in the NEET-UG cut-off, the NTA said the higher cut-off reflected the competitive nature of the examination.
The agency also pointed to the increase in the number of candidates appearing for the examination.
In 2023, 20,38,596 candidates appeared for NEET, while the number increased to 23,33,297 candidates in 2024.
According to the NTA, the larger candidate pool naturally resulted in a higher number of high-scoring candidates.
1,563 Candidates Received Compensatory Marks
The NTA said concerns regarding loss of examination time were raised through petitions filed before multiple High Courts and through representations from candidates.
Following an assessment of the complaints, 1,563 candidates were compensated for lost examination time.
The revised marks of these candidates ranged from -20 to 720. The NTA also clarified that two candidates received scores of 718 and 719 as a result of the compensatory marking process.
NTA Responds to NEET Paper Leak Allegations
The NEET-UG results controversy also came amid allegations of irregularities and claims concerning a question paper leak.
The NTA had earlier stated that an incident involving the distribution of incorrect question papers at an examination centre in Rajasthan resulted in some candidates leaving the centre with the papers.
However, the agency denied that the NEET-UG question paper had been leaked.
The NTA subsequently reiterated that reports claiming a question paper leak were baseless and maintained that every question paper had been accounted for.
NEET-UG Examination Conducted Across India and Abroad
The NEET-UG examination was conducted on May 5 across 4,750 examination centres in 571 cities, including 14 cities outside India.
The large-scale examination was conducted for candidates seeking admission to undergraduate medical programmes.
NTA Maintains Exam Integrity
In its clarification, the NTA maintained that the integrity of the NEET-UG examination had not been compromised.
The agency said the increase in the cut-off and the number of high-scoring candidates could be explained by the larger number of test takers, answer-key revisions and compensatory marks awarded for verified loss of examination time.
The clarification comes as candidates and stakeholders continue to scrutinise the NEET-UG results and the factors behind the unusually high number of top scores.
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