New Delhi: Over 24 lakh candidates have appeared for the medical entrance exam NEET-UG, which has become the center of controversy over allegations of multiple irregularities and triggered protests and political turmoil across the country. Here's an explainer on what's happened so far:

1. Alleged irregularities

Allegations of inflated marks in NEET-UG have led to a record 67 candidates sharing the top rank with perfect scores. Last year, two students had shared the top rank. Students are alleging that the marks of many candidates have been randomly increased or decreased, thereby affecting their rank. The grace marks given to over 1,500 students to compensate for the time lost due to delay in exams at six centers are also under question.There have also been allegations of paper leak. Bihar Police's Economic Offenses Unit had last month said its investigation revealed that NEET-UG question papers and answers were provided to around 35 candidates ahead of the May 5 exam. Thirteen people have been arrested so far in connection with the case.

2. Why were grace marks given to students?

Students from at least six centers in Meghalaya, Haryana, Chhattisgarh, Surat and Chandigarh had complained of wastage of time during the examination. At these locations, students did not get the full 3 hours and 20 minutes to write the exam due to administrative reasons, including distribution of wrong question paper, torn OMR sheets, or delay in distribution of OMR sheets.

A committee constituted by the NTA examined the matter and came up with the formula devised and adopted by the apex court in its 2018 judgment to address the time loss suffered by the candidates.The loss of time was ascertained and such candidates were compensated with grace marks.

2. NTA's stance on the allegations

The National Testing Agency (NTA) has been maintaining that there has been no compromise with the sanctity of the examination. The increase in the number of top scorers has been attributed to the increase in competitiveness of the examination and increase in performance standards.

According to officials, 1,563 candidates have been given grace marks.

Compensate for loss of time as per the formula approved by the Supreme Court.

Of the 67 candidates who scored 720 marks out of 720, 44 account for

There are revisions in one answer key of Physics, and six compensatory marks for the loss of time.The purpose of this adjustment was to remove inconsistencies in the NCERT textbooks, ensuring that candidates are not disadvantaged by factual inconsistencies.

3. Education Ministry's stance

The ministry has constituted a four-member expert panel headed by a former UPSC

The Chairman will review the grace marks given to the students. Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan denied the allegations, saying there was no evidence of paper leak and claims of corruption in NTA were baseless.

4. Political Slugfest

The Congress is demanding a Supreme Court-monitored probe into the NEET exam, insisting that the anger in the country over the issue will "echo within Parliament as well."

Shiv Sena leader Priyanka Chaturvedi accused the Education Minister of defending NTA and claimed that paper leak has been found in the Bihar Police investigation.Maharashtra government has demanded immediate cancellation of the examination.

Alleged that its results have caused injustice to the students of the state.

Tamil Nadu Chief Minister MK Stalin said that the latest NEET trends

The results have once again confirmed the DMK's stand of opposing the examination and reiterated that the entrance examination is against social justice and federalism.

Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) is also demanding from the Supreme Court-

SIT monitored the investigation.

5. Supreme Court's stance

The apex court has noted that the sanctity of NEET-UG, 2024 has been affected and refused to stay the counseling process for admission. The NTA expert panel has told the court that the decision to give grace marks to 1,563 NEET-UG candidates for admission to MBBS, BDS and other courses has been canceled and they will be given the option to retake the exam on June 23.If the candidates do not wish to re-appear, their earlier marks, less grace marks, will be considered for the purpose of result.

Retest results will be declared on June 30 and counseling will take place

Admissions to MBBS, BDS and other courses will start from July 6.