New Delhi/IBNS: The Supreme Court on Tuesday blasted the National Testing Agency (NTA) over the alleged irregularities in the National Eligibility-cum Entrance Test (NEET), the examination required to crack for entry into medical colleges, media reports said.

"If there's even 0.001% negligence on anyone's part, it should be thoroughly dealt with," the Supreme Court said as quoted by NDTV.

The top court said it expects the NTA to take "timely action" and ensure all candidates are treated at par.

"As an agency which is conducting the examination, you must act fair. If there is a mistake, say yes, this is a mistake, and this is the action we are going to take. At least that inspires confidence in your performance," the Supreme Court bench said as quoted by NDTV.

"Imagine a person who has played fraud on the system becomes a doctor, he is more deleterious to society. Children study hard to get through NEET," it added.

The next hearing will be held on July 8.

The Centre on June 13 told the Supreme Court that the grace marks given to 1,563 students will be cancelled and they will be informed about their actual marks.

The government told the court that the students will be given an option to appear for a retest on June 23.

The Supreme Court has refused to stay the ongoing counselling process for admission of selected candidates.