Following Karnataka, the West Bengal Assembly has passed a resolution to eliminate the National Eligibility-cum-Entrance Test (NEET) for medical studies in the state, proposing the introduction of a new state-level entrance examination instead. The resolution criticizes the National Testing Agency (NTA) for failing to conduct a free and fair examination and calls for the state government to manage joint entrance exams in the interest of the public.
Background and Developments:
- Karnataka’s Decision: On Monday, the Karnataka Cabinet approved a resolution to scrap NEET, as urged by Deputy Chief Minister DK Shivakumar. He advocated for state-level entrance exams, citing serious irregularities in NEET, which threaten the future of numerous students.
- Supreme Court Verdict: On Tuesday, the Supreme Court dismissed pleas seeking the cancellation and retest of NEET-UG 2024. The court found no systemic evidence of malpractice, despite allegations of question paper leaks and fraud. The bench, including Chief Justice D Y Chandrachud and Justices JB Pardiwala and Manoj Misra, heard extensive arguments from various lawyers, including Solicitor General Tushar Mehta representing the Centre and NTA.
Issues with NEET:
- Alleged Malpractices: NEET-UG 2024 faced strong criticism due to alleged malpractices such as question paper leaks, fraud, and impersonation. Concerns were heightened when 67 students achieved a perfect score of 720, an unprecedented event, with a significant number from a single Haryana centre. After a revision, the number of top rankers reduced to 61.
- Regional Opposition: In 2021, Tamil Nadu’s DMK government, led by MK Stalin, sought exemption from NEET, deeming it discriminatory against rural aspirants. A similar attempt by the AIADMK government in 2017 failed to receive presidential approval.
Implications for Students:
- New Entrance Exam: Both Karnataka and West Bengal propose state-level entrance exams for medical admissions, aiming to address concerns over NEET’s fairness and accessibility.
- Participation: Karnataka’s proposal allows students from across India to participate in the state-conducted tests, potentially providing a more localized and controlled testing environment.
Over 23 lakh students appeared for NEET-UG in 2024, aiming for admissions to MBBS, BDS, AYUSH, and related courses. The ongoing debate over the exam’s integrity and state versus central control continues to shape the future of medical education in India.
