‘There Is Only One Correct Answer’, IIT Delhi Experts to SC on NEET Physics Question

In a recent hearing, the apex court received a report from IIT Delhi stating that a panel of three experts unanimously determined the correct answer to a controversial physics question in the NEET-UG 2024 exam. they confirmed that option four was the correct choice, validating the NTA's initial answer key.

New Delhi: The Supreme Court on Tuesday was informed by a panel of three experts of IIT Delhi that there was only one right answer, and not two, to a controversial physics question in the NEET-UG 2024 examination.

Referring to a report submitted by IIT Delhi in the court, a bench led by Chief Justice of India D Y Chandrachud said the IIT director Rangan Banerjee constituted a committee from the department of physics and they say a team of three experts examined the question. “They say that option four is the correct answer”, said the bench, also comprising justices J B Pardiwala and Manoj Misra.

On Monday, the apex court had asked the director, of IIT-Delhi to constitute a team of three experts to examine the particular question of physics and submit a report on the correct answer by Tuesday noon.

The bench said that option four, which says "Statement I is correct but Statement II is incorrect is correct" and added, “The committee has opined clearly that there was only one option which is option four (4)”. “So, the National Testing Agency (NTA) was correct in its answer key which was option four (4)," added the bench.

The panel’s opinion is likely to impact the total marks of over four lakh candidates, including 44 students who scored perfect scores in the exam.

Solicitor General Tushar Mehta, representing the National Testing Agency, submitted a city-wise analysis of the results.

The bench asked about the success rate in Hazaribagh, Jharkhand where a paper leak allegedly occurred. Mehta said that in Hazaribagh, the success rates have been 7.2 in 2022, 6.06 in 2023, and 4.61 in 2024.

Petitioners’ have argued that the markings and success rate in Karnataka’s Belagavi was also high, and that a student who failed her 12th exam in Gujarat opted Belgavi as her exam centre. Mehta said the success rate in Belagavi was only 2.05% in 2024.

The hearing is in progress and Mehta is making submissions before the court. The apex court is hearing a clutch of pleas, including those that are seeking a re-test of the controversy-ridden NEET-UG on grounds of question paper leak and other malpractices.