‘Reduced’ syllabus a prominent factor for 61 perfect scores in NEET, NTA tells SC
The Hindu
NTA explains how 61 students scored perfect in NEET-UG 2024 due to reduced syllabus and increased candidates.
Sixty-one students scored a perfect 720/720 in the undergraduate National Eligibility-cum-Entrance Test (NEET-UG) 2024 due to a significant reduction in syllabus, the National Testing Agency (NTA) explained to the Supreme Court.
“The most prominent factor in 61 candidates scoring 720/720 is due to the reduction in the syllabus, which was down to enable candidates to focus on the core concepts and to alleviate pressure on students who faced challenges in completing their studies due to the pandemic in 2019-20,” the NTA said.
Also read | Conduct NEET-UG again in transparent manner: Kharge
The exam agency, which is in the eye of a storm over allegations of question paper leaks, impersonation and other illegalities committed during the NEET-UG 2024, said the high percentile may also be due to the increase in the number of candidates who wrote the uniform medical admission test this year.
“The number of candidates who appeared in 2023 was 20,38,596, while the number of candidates who appeared in 2024 increased to 23,33,297. Therefore, the mark interval is nominal and only due to an increase in the number of candidates,” NTA reasoned.
The exam agency said it had reduced the syllabus in 2024, compared to the previous year, as an expression of its concern for students.
“The syllabus was reduced by approximately 22-25% compared to last year, removing difficult and time-consuming chapters like P Block in Chemistry and conceptual chapters in Biology… The reduction significantly lessened the burden of studies on students, focusing on a more concise syllabus, which benefited the candidates in preparing for the examination effectively and comprehensively,” it submitted.