NEET 2025: Delhi High Court Issues Notice to NTA Over Biometric Glitch Plea for Compensatory Marks

The National Testing Agency (NTA) faces legal scrutiny as the Delhi High Court issues a notice regarding a NEET 2025 candidate's plea for compensatory marks. The Medical Aspirant alleges mental distress and affected performance due to a malfunctioning biometric verification system at an exam centre in Meerut. This critical development highlights the challenges faced by NEET candidates and the importance of ensuring a seamless examination process. The court has directed the NTA to preserve all relevant CCTV footage and records, setting a precedent for future medical admissions and competitive exams.

In a significant development for Medical Aspirants and the integrity of national competitive exams, the Delhi High Court has issued a formal notice to the National Testing Agency (NTA) concerning a NEET 2025 candidate's petition. The plea seeks compensatory marks for alleged mental distress and disruption caused by a faulty biometric verification system at their exam centre during the NEET 2025 exam held on May 4, 2025. This case underscores the challenges that can arise during large-scale examinations and the subsequent legal avenues available to affected NEET candidates.

The petitioner, who appeared for the National Eligibility cum Entrance Test (NEET-UG) 2025 at Trishla Devi Kanohar Lal Balika Inter College in Meerut, Uttar Pradesh, claimed that the malfunctioning biometric system led to significant delays and disruptions. According to the petition, the candidate was allowed entry into the examination hall just five minutes before the test was scheduled to begin. Even more critically, the individual was reportedly instructed to leave the hall mid-exam to complete the verification process, a disruption that caused substantial mental disturbance and severely impacted their focus and performance in the highly competitive medical entrance exam.

The Candidate's Plea and High Court's Directive

The NEET 2025 candidate has approached the Delhi High Court seeking specific reliefs, highlighting the profound impact such technical glitches can have on a student's future Medical Education:

Compensatory Marks: The primary relief sought is the award of compensatory marks to account for the time lost and mental distress endured due to the malfunctioning biometric system. The petitioner's counsel suggested that such marks could be calculated in line with previous Supreme Court decisions on similar matters.

Preservation of Evidence: The Delhi High Court, presided over by Justice Prathiba M Singh, has directed the NTA to preserve all relevant evidence from the exam centre in question. This includes CCTV footage, logbook entries, and any other supporting documentation related to the biometric verification process on the exam day. This directive is crucial for ensuring transparency and a thorough investigation into the allegations.

The NTA has been asked to file a counter-affidavit specifically addressing the allegations concerning the biometric verification system. The case highlights a broader concern about the reliability of technological systems used in high-stakes competitive exams and their potential to affect student performance and well-being. Despite these challenges, the candidate reportedly scored a 98.86 percentile in the NEET UG 2025 exam, which further underscores the severity of the alleged disruption.

Implications for the NEET Examination Process

This incident, and the Delhi High Court's immediate response, carries significant implications for the conduct of future Medical Admissions and other competitive exams by the NTA:

Scrutiny on Biometric Systems: The case brings renewed scrutiny to the biometric verification systems deployed at exam centres. While designed to prevent impersonation and ensure fair conduct, instances of malfunction can lead to immense stress for NEET candidates. This prompts a need for robust backup systems and clear protocols for handling such technical failures.

Student Welfare: The court's focus on mental distress acknowledges the psychological impact that disruptions during examinations can have on Medical Aspirants who dedicate years to preparing for these crucial tests. Ensuring a conducive and fair examination environment is paramount for candidates' student performance.

Transparency and Accountability: The directive to preserve CCTV footage and other records enhances accountability for the NTA and exam centre authorities. Such transparency can build trust among NEET candidates and ensure that grievances are addressed fairly. This move sets a precedent for how future disputes regarding the examination process will be handled.

This case is distinct from other ongoing legal challenges related to NEET 2025, such as petitions regarding alleged paper leaks or power outages at other exam centres. The Supreme Court of India has notably refused to transfer this specific petition from the Delhi High Court to itself, observing that the matter is based on individual circumstances and not a general basis, thus the High Court remains the appropriate forum.

The Path Forward for NEET Candidates

While the legal proceedings unfold, the NEET 2025 results have already been declared, and the Medical Counselling Committee (MCC) is expected to commence the counselling process for MBBS and BDS admissions soon. Medical Aspirants are advised to remain vigilant for official updates from NTA (neet.nta.nic.in and nta.ac.in) and the Medical Counselling Committee.

The outcome of this case could establish important benchmarks for addressing technical issues in large-scale examinations and ensuring that Medical Aspirants are not unfairly penalized due to circumstances beyond their control. For comprehensive information on Medical Admissions, NEET scores, counselling updates, and pathways to Higher Education in Medical Education, Only Education's Medicine section continues to be a valuable resource. All NEET candidates must stay informed and prepare for the upcoming Admissions Process with diligence.