Supreme Court Upholds Single Correct Answer in NEET-UG 2024 Physics Question

A panel of IIT Delhi experts informed the Supreme Court that only one correct answer exists for a controversial physics question in the NEET-UG 2024 exam. The court is addressing pleas for a re-test over question paper leak allegations. The experts' report supports NTA’s original answer key.

A panel of three experts from IIT Delhi has confirmed to the Supreme Court that there is only one correct answer to a contentious physics question from the NEET-UG 2024 exam.

On Monday, a Supreme Court bench comprising Chief Justice D Y Chandrachud and Justice JB Pardiwala requested IIT Delhi's Director to form a team of experts to investigate the issue. The team was instructed to submit a report by Tuesday noon.

Chief Justice Chandrachud stated, "We have received the IIT Delhi report. The Director, Rangan Banerjee, set up a committee from the physics department, which verified that option four (4) is the correct answer." The bench proceeded to affirm the accuracy of the National Testing Agency (NTA)'s answer key, which marked option four as correct. Solicitor General Tushar Mehta is currently presenting arguments on behalf of the Centre and the NTA during the ongoing hearing.

The Supreme Court is handling multiple pleas, including requests for a re-test of the NEET-UG due to alleged question paper leaks and other irregularities. The bench encountered a perplexing situation over a physics question during the proceedings.

It was argued that two answers could be deemed correct, and examinees who selected one of these answers were awarded four marks. Additionally, discrepancies in marking negatively impacted some candidates.

Consequently, the court instructed IIT Delhi to designate a group of subject matter experts to resolve the issue. PTI also consulted Associate Professor Naveen Gaur from Delhi University, who confirmed that option four remains the only correct answer.

This debate over the correct answer has significant implications for the merit list, as more than 23.33 lakh students had appeared for the exam on May 5 in numerous centers worldwide. NEET-UG, conducted by the NTA, is the national test for admissions to medical and dental courses across India.

(With inputs from agencies.)