NEET Toppers Support Student Protests, Call for Exam Reforms
New Delhi: Aryan Gupta and Panshul Bansal, who secured the top two All India Ranks in the NEET-UG 2024 re-examination, have expressed solidarity with the thousands of students who protested the May 3 examination cancellation following a paper leak. Both students, who scored 715 out of 720, chose not to join the demonstrations but focused on preparing for the June 21 retest.
Gupta, who secured AIR 1 under tie-breaking rules, told reporters that while the cancellation was unfair, it was unfair to all candidates equally. “Although it was unfair, it was not unfair only to me. It was unfair to everyone,” he said, adding that he treated the retest as an opportunity to improve his performance. Bansal, from Haryana and holding AIR 2, said he stopped following news about the leak and protests for nearly two months as it gave him “negative thoughts”.
Both toppers defended the right of students to protest. “Protest and dissent are basic rights of a citizen. They are essential for a democracy,” Gupta stated. Bansal echoed the sentiment, saying his responsibility was to prepare, while it was the government’s duty to fix the system.
The students also outlined key demands for reforming the National Eligibility-cum-Entrance Test for undergraduate medical courses. They called for computer-based testing, tighter security measures, and two NEET attempts per year to reduce the impact of any irregularities. “One single exam with no backup is stressful. Two attempts would ease the pressure and give students a fair chance,” Bansal said.
The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) is investigating the paper leak that led to the cancellation of the May 3 exam. The leak, which surfaced on social media hours before the test, affected over 18 lakh aspirants. The Ministry of Education ordered a re-examination, which was conducted on June 21. Results were announced on July 15.
Experts have also weighed in on the need for systemic reforms. Dr. Rajesh Kumar, an education policy analyst, said, “The NEET paper leak highlights vulnerabilities in the current system. Computer-based testing with randomised question sets can significantly reduce the risk of leaks.” The National Testing Agency (NTA) has yet to announce any changes to the exam format for the next cycle.
As the medical entrance exam season concludes, the voices of top performers like Gupta and Bansal add weight to the call for change. Their stance reflects a balance between demanding accountability and focusing on personal goals—a perspective that resonates with many students who faced similar challenges.
