NEET 2024: PhysicsWallah CEO Alakh Pandey Moves SC, Seeks Probe In Award Of Grace Marks

Edtech startup PhysicsWallah cofounder and CEO Alakh Pandey has reportedly filed a public interest litigation (PIL) before the Supreme Court (SC) seeking a probe into allegations of discrepancies in pan-India medical entrance test, NEET-UG 2024.

As per Economic Times, Pandey has sought a probe into the matter by an independent panel. At the heart of the issue is the grace marks awarded by the National Testing Agency (NTA) to more than 1,500 students and allegations of paper leak. 

Citing a statement by the edtech startup, the report said that only a thorough investigation can reveal the issues and “irregularities undermining the credibility” of the medical entrance test. He also reportedly urged the SC to order a re-examination of this year’s medical test.

In a post on X, Pandey said, “… I believe in the court and our judiciary system. Our students will get justice.” 

In a separate petition filed before the Supreme Court in connection with alleged irregularities in NEET 2024, a vacation bench comprising Justice Vikram Nath and Justice Ahsanuddin Amanullah on Tuesday (June 11) issued a notice to NTA but refused to stop the post-exam counselling for the exam. 

The plea alleged that the exam (held on May 5) was conducted amid malpractices, including paper leaks.

“Furthermore, recognising the impending commencement of the counselling process for the allocation of medical seats based on the contentious NEET rankings, Mr. Pandey and Mr. (J Sai) Deepak beseeched the Hon’ble Supreme Court to stay the counselling proceedings… This stay is imperative to prevent further prejudice against the aggrieved candidates and to maintain the integrity of the admission process pending the resolution of this grave matter,” PhysicsWallah added in its statement. J Sai Deepak is Pandey’s lawyer in the case,

Meanwhile, the testing agency has denied the allegations and said that there were no irregularities in conducting the exam.

This comes amid various allegations of discrepancies in the results of NEET (UG) 2024, which were declared on June 4. While concerns have primarily been raised about the allocation of grace marks to some candidates, a section of students has also alleged that the first rank was awarded to some 67 candidates, of which six were from the same centre in Haryana. 

“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 NTA said in a statement.