The Supreme Court will be hearing a petition today regarding the normalisation of marks, answer keys, and results for NEET PG 2024. Students have raised concerns about the transparency of the selection process, while the National Board of Examinations for Medical Sciences (NBEMS) has cited the difficulty of generating new questions as the reason for not releasing answer keys. With experts warning of a potential 'tripledemic' this winter in the UK and India, the transparency of entrance exams becomes even more crucial in ensuring the selection of qualified candidates for medical courses.
Supreme Court to Hear Petition on Normalization of NEET PG 2024 Marks, Answer Keys, and Results
Background
The National Eligibility cum Entrance Test Post-Graduate (NEET PG) is a highly competitive examination conducted annually for admission to postgraduate medical courses in India. The entrance exam has been marred by allegations of irregularities and a lack of transparency in the past.
In 2021, the NEET PG was conducted amid allegations of errors in the question paper and discrepancies in the marking scheme. Students protested, demanding the release of answer keys and the normalization of marks to ensure fairness. However, the National Board of Examinations for Medical Sciences (NBEMS), which conducts the exam, refused to release answer keys, citing the difficulty of generating new questions.
Current Developments
Following the protests in 2021, students have filed a petition with the Supreme Court of India seeking the normalization of marks, answer keys, and results for NEET PG 2024. The petition alleges that the absence of normalization and the non-release of answer keys create an unfair playing field for candidates.
The Supreme Court is scheduled to hear the petition on November 10, 2023. The National Board of Examinations for Medical Sciences (NBEMS) has filed a counter-affidavit, stating that releasing answer keys could lead to the illegal circulation of questions and compromise the integrity of the examination.
Top 5 FAQs
1. What is the issue with NEET PG 2024?
Students are concerned about the lack of normalization of marks, which could lead to discrepancies in scores. They are also demanding the release of answer keys to ensure transparency in the examination process.
2. Why has NBEMS refused to release answer keys?
NBEMS argues that releasing answer keys could compromise the integrity of the examination as it would allow candidates to circulate questions and prepare unauthorized study materials.
3. What is normalization of marks?
Normalization is a statistical process that adjusts scores to account for differences in the difficulty level of different test forms. This ensures that candidates are evaluated fairly, regardless of which version of the exam they take.
4. What is the potential impact of the Supreme Court decision?
If the Supreme Court rules in favor of the students, it could lead to the release of answer keys and the normalization of marks for NEET PG 2024. This would provide greater transparency and ensure a more equitable selection process.
5. What is the significance of the 'tripledemic' warning?
Experts have warned of a potential 'tripledemic' this winter in the UK and India, which refers to the simultaneous circulation of COVID-19, influenza, and respiratory syncytial virus (RSV). This highlights the importance of ensuring the transparency and accuracy of entrance exams for medical courses, as qualified medical professionals will be crucial in responding to the health crisis.
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