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NEET-UG Candidate Moves Madhya Pradesh High Court Over 241-Mark Discrepancy, Challenges NTA's Constitutional Validity
A significant legal challenge has been mounted against the (NTA) as a NEET-UG candidate has petitioned the , claiming a staggering 241-mark gap between the score he calculated using the official answer key and the result displayed on his scorecard. The petition goes a step further, directly questioning the of the NTA itself. A of Justice Subodh Abhyankar and Justice Alok Awasthi has now sought the 's stand on the matter.
A Tale of Two Scorecards
The petition, filed by candidate Lokendra Singh Khadiya , stems from a deeply troubling personal experience with the combined NEET-UG examination. According to the plea, the petitioner meticulously matched his responses from the exam with the officially released OMR sheet and answer key. His self-assessment pointed to a specific score. However, when the released the final results, his scorecard displayed a tally that was drastically lower—a difference of a massive 241 marks.
The core of the legal dispute lies in this fundamental mismatch. The petitioner’s legal team, led by counsel , argues that such a stark error points to systemic failures in the examination and evaluation process, potentially affecting hundreds of other aspirants. The case underscores the high-stakes nature of India’s premier medical entrance exam, where even a single mark can alter a student's career trajectory.
The Legal Offensive: Challenging the NTA's Foundation
Beyond the individual mark discrepancy, the petition seeks a broader . It challenges the very existence and functioning of the , questioning its legislative and legal mandate to conduct examinations of such national importance. This elevates the case from a simple scoring correction to a foundational challenge against the country’s primary testing authority.
On
, when the matter was called for hearing, the bench recorded the petitioner's submissions. Representing the
, Additional Solicitor General
appeared before the court and requested additional time. The bench noted:
"Shri Dave seeks a week's time to seek instructions in the matter and to file a
."
Consequently, the court granted the request, marking a procedural pause but setting the stage for a critical legal battle.
Awaiting the Centre's Stand
The matter has now been listed for hearing on , by which time the is expected to file a detailing its position on both the mark discrepancy and the to the NTA. The court’s directive for a response indicates that it views the petition as raising serious questions requiring a formal reply from the government.
The case is being watched closely by legal experts and lakhs of aspirants alike. A finding in favor of the petitioner could not only grant relief to Lokendra Singh Khadiya but could also open the floodgates for similar grievances and force a of the NTA’s operational and constitutional framework. For now, all eyes are on the Centre’s response as the High Court prepares to weigh in on a candidate’s fight for transparency against a formidable .
