RITIK KUMAR Vs. UNION OF INDIA

JUDGEMENT

(1.) The National Testing Agency (hereafter 'the NTA') conducted the National Eligibility cum Entrance Test (UG) 2019 (hereafter the 'NEET UG, 2019) on 5.5.2019, result whereof was declared on 5.6.2019. The petitioners in all the connected petitions which are being disposed of by this common order as the issue agitated is identical, participated in the said examination, but were not successful. Not unusually they are before this Court questioning the evaluation of their answer sheets at the examination in issue alleging that their answers to certain questions at the NEET UG 2019 examination have not been appropriately evaluated entailing their failure thereat. Appointment of an expert panel to ascertain the correctness of the NTA's view on the disputed questions is sought - with its necessary consequences.

(2.) An information booklet was issued by NTA for the students writing the NEET UG 2019 examination. For transparency at the said examination, Chapter 7 of the Information Booklet detailed the post examination activities and declaration of result. It was provided thereunder that the NTA would display on its website answer key of the questions of the NEET UG 2019 examination, giving opportunity to the candidates to challenge on payment of requisite fee any dispute to the answer key. Challenges so made were to be evaluated / verified by the NTA with the help of subject experts and if found incorrect, the answer key was to be revised accordingly. Based on the revised answer key, the result of NEET UG 2019 was to be prepared and declared. It was provided that "the answer key finalized after the challenge would be final".

(3.) The petitioners' case in the petitions is as follows: