Today, the Supreme Court declined to halt the re-test scheduled for June 23 for the 1,563 candidates who had previously received grace marks in the NEET-UG 2024 Exam. The National Testing Agency, having rescinded the contentious decision to award grace marks, offered these candidates the option of a re-test.

A writ petition challenging the NTA's decision to offer a re-test option to candidates who had received grace marks was brought before a vacation bench of the Supreme Court.

The bench, consisting of Justices Vikram Nath and SVN Bhatti, considered the petition today. While the bench agreed to issue a notice regarding the petition, it refused to stay the re-test scheduled for June 23.

The petitioner's counsel argued that the re-test option contradicted the established rules, expressing concern that if the re-test proceeded, the NTA might argue it as a "fait accompli." Despite these concerns, the bench remained unconvinced and refused to stay for the re-test. The bench has scheduled the petition, along with related petitions, for further hearing on July 8.

The NTA's decision to grant grace marks stemmed from the fact that certain candidates were deprived of their full exam time on the test date. However, this decision became controversial, leading to several petitions being filed in the Supreme Court challenging the awarding of grace marks.

Meanwhile, the NTA constituted a committee to review the grace marks decision. The committee concluded that awarding grace marks for all attempted questions was inappropriate and that compensation should be limited only to the unattempted questions.

Based on the committee's recommendations, the NTA decided to revoke the grace marks allotted to 1,563 candidates. These candidates now have the option to either accept their original marks, without the grace marks, or to appear for a re-test.

Case Details: TANISHQ SINGH AND ORS. Versus NATIONAL TESTING AGENCY AND ORS. W.P.(C) No. 384/2024