The National Testing Agency (NTA) has offered clarification regarding the record number of candidates securing the first rank in the National Eligibility cum Entrance Test (NEET). The agency attributed the high number of toppers to several factors, including an easier exam, a surge in registrations, a question with two correct answers, and grace marks awarded due to “loss of examination time.”
A total of 67 candidates achieved NEET All India Rank (AIR) 1 with a percentile score of 99.997129.
Following the announcement, concerns arose over the record number of toppers and candidates scoring 718 and 719 marks, given that the second highest score achievable after 720 is 716 since each question carries four marks. There were allegations on social media of “massive irregularities” during the exams and its impact on cut-offs and admissions.
The NTA explained that grace marks were a contributing factor. Candidates who reported losing time during the National Eligibility-cum-Entrance Test Undergraduate (NEET UG 2024) were given grace marks. The agency also refuted claims of a NEET UG paper leak, saying that a background check had been conducted on the NEET UG 2024 toppers. The official added that NEET toppers have consistently been high scorers in both Class 10 and Class 12.
The NEET 2024 results were released on Tuesday. This year saw a 16.85 percent increase in NEET UG registrations. A total of 24,06,079 candidates registered for the exam, compared to 20.59 lakh last year.
