A significant controversy has erupted over the National Testing Agency’s (NTA) decision to award grace marks to students in the National Entrance cum Eligibility Test (NEET) for undergraduate medical admissions. This decision has been challenged in a writ petition filed with the Supreme Court, raising questions about the fairness and legality of the NTA’s actions.
The Writ Petition:
According to a LiveLaw report, the writ petition contends that the NTA’s use of a ‘normalization formula’ to grant grace marks is both unlawful and arbitrary. The petitioner argues that this practice violates Articles 14 and 21 of the Indian Constitution, which guarantee equality before the law and the right to life and personal liberty, respectively.
Key Arguments Against the NTA’s Decision:
- Improper Use of the Normalization Formula: The petitioner asserts that the normalization formula, which is typically used to adjust scores based on varying difficulty levels across different exam sessions, is inappropriate for the NEET. They argue that NEET is specifically designed to evaluate students’ subject knowledge directly, and therefore, the formula’s application undermines the integrity of the assessment.
- Violation of Constitutional Rights: By awarding grace marks, the petitioner claims the NTA has violated Article 14 (equality before the law) and Article 21 (right to life and personal liberty) of the Indian Constitution. The arbitrary awarding of marks, they argue, creates an unfair advantage for some students over others, disrupting the level playing field that competitive exams are supposed to provide.
Implications of the Controversy:
The controversy over grace marks in the NEET exam has significant implications for students, educational institutions, and the broader educational system in India. If the Supreme Court rules in favor of the petitioner, it could lead to changes in how standardized exams like NEET are conducted and scored. This decision could also impact the admission process for thousands of medical aspirants.