1,563 NEET 2024 candidates got grace marks, 44 in AIR 1 due to physics question, clarifies NTA

NEW DELHI: In NEET 2024, 1,563 candidates were compensated for the loss of time and 44 of the 67 candidates, who secured full 720 marks, grabbed the All India Rank (AIR) 1 due to a physics question with two correct answers, clarified the National Testing Agency. The exam authority issued a clarification in view of the queries raised by students regarding the National Eligibility Entrance Test (NEET) result 2024.

NEET 2024 result attracted controversy over 67 candidates securing rank 1, eight of them being from the same centre, and the grace marks provided by NTA resulting in students getting 718, 719 marks. Several aspirants took to social media demanding cancellation of NEET exam held on May 5 and fresh exam. The newly-elected opposition also weighed in and called for answers from the ruling government regarding NEET results.

NEET UG Result 2024: Grace marks

Explaining the need for compensatory marks, NTA informed a grievance redressal committee was formed to look into students’ concerns after a few NEET 2024 candidates filed writ petitions in the high courts of Punjab, Haryana, Delhi, and Chhattisgarh regarding loss of time during the exam. The panel took up the grievances on the basis of ‘factual reports’ and CCTV footages of the concerned exam centres.

“The loss of examination time was ascertained and such candidates were compensated with marks based on their answering efficiency and time lost, as per the mechanism/ formula established by the Hon’ble Apex Court, vide its judgment dated 13.06.2018 in W.P. 551 of 2018,” NTA stated.

As a result, 1,563 NEET candidates were given grace marks and the revised marks of such candidates vary from -20 to 720 marks, the testing agency informed. Due to compensatory marks, two candidates got 718 and 719 scores respectively in the exam.

Denying irregularities in NEET UG 2024, NTA said, “On the analysis of the CCTV footage, it was ascertained that the integrity of the examination was not compromised at these Centres.”

NEET Toppers 2024: That physics question

A physics question in NEET exam 2024 placed 44 candidates in the first position, as per NTA’s statement. Upon examining 13,373 challenges to the provisional answer key of that question, the subject experts found that the old and new editions of the NCERT book on physics made two options correct and thus the answer key was revised and 44 candidates were given full marks.

“Out of the 67 candidates who got 720/720 marks, 44 are on account of the revision in one Answer Key of Physics and 06 are on account of compensatory marks for loss of time,” the statement read.

The increase in the number of candidates from last year’s 20.38 lakh to around 24 lakh this year ‘naturally’ led to the increase in the number of toppers, NTA clarified and mentioned that the NEET UG 2024 toppers belong to different parts of the country.

NEET UG result date 2024

Coming to the NEET UG result date 2024, the exam agency said that the results of NTA exams are declared at the earliest once the necessary checks are completed post answer key challenge period. Several students and academicians had raised a question as to how NEET results 2024 were declared 10 days before the result declaration date, June 14, and alleged scam and error in the result.

“NTA managed to declare the Results of about 23 lakh candidates within 30 days. The Result of JEE (Main) 2024 Session-1 was declared in 11 days and of Session-2 (combined with Session - 1) was declared in 15 days. The Result of NEET (UG) 2024 has been processed as per the established procedure,” were the words of NTA. It went on to talk about its procedure from the conduct of an exam to its result declaration.

NEET Paper Leak: NTA refutes claims

Further, replying to the action being taken by the exam authorities regarding use of unfair means, NTA denied paper leak. It informed that some cases have been registered against impersonators by NTA and some by the state police. It has been extending support, wherever required, to the agencies in investigating cases, it added.

“While the outcome of the investigation in aforesaid cases is awaited, NTA has categorically denied any case of paper leak. NTA also issued a detailed Press Release on 06 May 2024 stating that there has not been any paper leak as was being circulated on social media. The same stand has been reiterated and NTA maintains that the integrity of the examination was not compromised,” NTA iterated.

Several reports of NEET paper leak emerged and some candidates left the exam centre with question papers at a Rajasthan centre.

NEET UG 2024 cut-off

NTA said that the increase in NEET UG cut-off 2024 reflects the competitive nature of the exam and high standards of candidates’ performance this year. The NEET cut-off is prepared on the basis of overall performance of candidates, it explained.