🎓 What Happened: Two Correct Answers in Final Key
Only hours before the NEET‑UG 2025 results were announced on June 14, the National Testing Agency (NTA) released the final answer key with a major surprise: two correct options were listed for one Physics and one Chemistry question. The NTA decided it was fairer to award +4 marks to anyone choosing either of the two options.
However, this contradicts standard single-answer formats, especially with negative marking (−1 for wrong answers). With over 22 lakh students competing, a change like this impacts comparative rankings and seat allotments.
⚖️ Legal Precedent: 2024 Controversy
A similar case occurred in NEET‑UG 2024, where the Supreme Court had appointed an IIT‑Delhi panel to choose a single right answer for an ambiguous Physics question. That step led to marks revisions affecting over 4 lakh students. Opponents argue the 2025 decision violates that precedent, raising a strong case for judicial review.
✍️ Why It’s a Legal Concern
1. Fairness & Merit Distribution
Allowing dual answers may unfairly benefit some students, skewing ranks and impacting counselling allocations.
2. Negative Marking Complication
Under standard rules, wrong answers carry a −1 penalty. If a question already has two correct options, how does NTA reconcile that with fairness?
3. Potential Court Challenges
Legal experts say affected students can file writ petitions in High Courts or Supreme Court, challenging NTA’s validity and seeking fairness in rankings and admissions .
4. Administrative vs Judicial Resolution
The NTA reportedly has four options:
- Stick with its two-answer plan
- Assign reduced total marks (e.g., 712/720)
- Give extra marks to all
- Reassign correct answers after expert review (like IIT‑Delhi approach)
🧩 Student & Counselor Outrage
Parents, coaching centres, and educators are outraged.
“Two answers for a question means potential litigation,” warned counsellor Manikavel Arumugam.
A DU professor also flagged ambiguous wording in one Physics question (Set 45-Q63), urging NTA to nullify the problematic question.
On X, students are using #NEETkeydebate and #RENEET to demand clarity and consistency before admissions begin.
⏱ Current Status & What’s Next
- Pendency in courts? Some students are preparing petitions.
- NTA could revise marks: either awarding extra or reducing the total score.
- Rank-based seat allocation may be paused until resolution.
- NTA may follow IIT‑Delhi precedent and set a single correct answer based on expert analysis.
💡 Why This Matters
With over 22.7 lakh candidates, even minor scoring anomalies can swing admission chances heavily. As the counseling season begins, clarity is essential to prevent unfair seat distribution.
A judicial setback for NTA here could redefine how large entrance exams handle answer‑key ambiguity in the future.
🧾 Summary: What to Watch
- Will affected students file High Court or Supreme Court petitions?
- Which path will NTA choose—fixed dual‑answer marks, single‑answer revision, or something else?
- How will counselling and seat allotment be managed until resolution?
This case isn’t just an education story — it’s a legal battle over fairness, procedural rights, and administrative accountability in a high-stakes exam.
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