The recent NEET UG paper leaks and the postponement of the NEET PG exam have intensified demands from several states to cancel the NEET UG exams in favor of state-level selection processes. States like Tamil Nadu (TN), Karnataka, and West Bengal have passed resolutions against NEET, advocating for a return to state-level exams for medical college admissions. Despite these demands, the National Medical Commission (NMC) maintains that a standardized exam like NEET is essential for maintaining a uniform standard and allowing students to secure medical seats nationwide.
Defending NEET
Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman defended NEET in the Rajya Sabha, highlighting its role in ensuring cost-effective medical education and reducing corruption. She pointed out that NEET has prevented the sale of medical seats, which has hurt vested interests in the medical education sector. Sitharaman emphasized that NEET was introduced in December 2010 by the then DMK minister Gandhi Selvan and officially launched for medical admissions in 2012.
Dr. B Srinivas, Secretary of the NMC, echoed these sentiments, stating that a standardized exam reduces corruption and offers students more options. He argued that a single national exam simplifies the process for students, who would otherwise have to take multiple state exams, complicating the comparison of marks. Dr. Srinivas also noted that the NEET PG statistics show a significant number of students from Tamil Nadu, indicating substantial participation from the state.
Issues of Merit and Social Justice
The debate around NEET also encompasses concerns about merit and social justice. Dr. KM Abul Hasan, chairman of the IMA Junior Doctors Network, highlighted the perception that students from lower socio-economic backgrounds are disadvantaged by NEET. To address this, the TN government allocated a 7.5% seat quota in MBBS/BDS programs for students from government schools. Dr. Hasan argued that reverting to the previous system of selecting students based on class XII marks would benefit students who lack access to NEET-specific coaching.
Dr. Partha Pratim Mandal from Calcutta Medical College pointed out that NEET preparation often requires expensive coaching and materials, which are not accessible to economically disadvantaged students. He argued that state-level exams would level the playing field and reduce the financial burden on these students.
The Case for State-Level Exams
Proponents of state-level exams argue that such a system would better align with local curricula and reduce exam stress. Dr. Somashekhar, chairman of the medical advisory board at Aster DM Healthcare, suggested that a Common Entrance Test (CET) based on state curricula could improve opportunities for local students and enhance reservation policies. However, he acknowledged that transitioning to a new exam format would present challenges, and the success of this shift would depend on effective implementation and maintenance of educational standards.
Conclusion
The controversy surrounding NEET UG reflects a broader debate about the balance between standardized national exams and state-level selection processes. While NEET aims to provide a uniform standard and reduce corruption, its detractors argue that it disadvantages students from less privileged backgrounds and imposes financial burdens. The resolution of this debate will require careful consideration of both merit-based selection and social justice to ensure equitable access to medical education.
