Karnataka Cabinet Approves Resolution to Scrap NEET, Introduce New State-Level Medical Entrance Exam

In a significant move, the Karnataka Cabinet on Monday approved a resolution to abolish the National Eligibility-cum-Entrance Test (NEET) for medical admissions in the state. The decision, spearheaded by Chief Minister Siddaramaiah, aims to replace NEET with a state-specific entrance examination for undergraduate and postgraduate medical students.

This decision was part of a late-night Cabinet session held on Monday, where two other major resolutions were also approved. The first involves the delimitation of state legislative assemblies and Lok Sabha constituencies, while the second opposes the 'One Nation, One Election' policy proposed at the national level.The newly approved resolutions are anticipated to be tabled during the ongoing legislative session, potentially as early as Tuesday, according to sources from the Press Trust of India (PTI). The state government's move to scrap NEET comes amid mounting concerns over the examination's fairness and its impact on local students.

Karnataka's Call for State-Controlled Exams

Karnataka Deputy Chief Minister DK Shivakumar has been vocal in his criticism of NEET. Last week, he called on the central government to abolish the exam, advocating for states to have the autonomy to conduct their own entrance tests. This would enable a more localized and equitable assessment system for medical aspirants.

“The irregularities in the NEET exam are serious. It is a question of the future of lakhs of students. The Centre must scrap NEET and allow states to conduct their own entrance tests. Students from across the country can participate in the tests conducted by states,” Shivakumar emphasized.

Shivakumar further highlighted the adverse impact NEET has on Karnataka students, stating, “Injustice is being meted out to the students from Karnataka. Karnataka has built colleges, but it is benefitting students from North India and depriving its own students. We have to fight unitedly against this. The Centre must conduct an inquiry into the NEET exam irregularities also.”

Historical Context and Similar Moves by Other States

This move by Karnataka is not unprecedented. In 2021, the Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (DMK) government in Tamil Nadu, under Chief Minister MK Stalin, passed legislation seeking an exemption from NEET, arguing that the exam was discriminatory against rural students aspiring to pursue medical careers. The All India Anna Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (AIADMK) government, led by Edappadi K Palaniswami, made a similar attempt in 2017, but the bill did not receive presidential assent.

The decision to scrap NEET in Karnataka comes amidst ongoing investigations by the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) into multiple alleged irregularities and paper leaks in the NEET-UG 2024 exams. The CBI has already filed six First Information Reports (FIRs) as part of these investigations, highlighting the examination's vulnerabilities.

NEET's Role and Significance

The NEET-UG, conducted by the National Testing Agency (NTA), is a critical examination that serves as the gateway for admissions into MBBS, BDS, AYUSH, and other related courses across government and private institutions in India. The National Eligibility cum Entrance Test (Undergraduate) or NEET (UG), formerly the All India Pre-Medical Test (AIPMT),is an Indian nationwide entrance examination conducted by the National Testing Agency (NTA) for admission in undergraduate medical programs. Being a mandatory exam for admission in medical programs, it is the biggest exam in India in terms of number of applicants

Read more about NEET Examination here:- https://www.studydekho.com/course/information/national-eligibility-cum-entrance-test-neet/55 

Here's the list of coaching institutes for NEET in Mumbai:- https://www.studydekho.com/mumbai/coaching/neet 

Here's the list of coaching institutes for NEET in Kota:- https://www.studydekho.com/kota/coaching/neet 

Official NTA website for NEET Examination :- https://exams.nta.ac.in/NEET/