The Karnataka government, led by Chief Minister Siddaramaiah, has taken a strong stance against the National Eligibility cum Entrance Test (NEET) by passing a resolution in both houses of the state legislature on Thursday. The resolution calls on the central government to exempt Karnataka from NEET and allow the state to revert to the previous system of admissions based on the Common Entrance Test (CET).
The resolution highlights concerns over recent irregularities and perceived flaws in the NEET examination system. It argues that NEET adversely impacts medical education opportunities for economically disadvantaged rural students and undermines the state government’s authority to manage admissions for its medical colleges.
State Minister of Medical Education and Skill Development, Dr. Sharan Prakash Patil, introduced the resolution in the legislative assembly, while Deputy Chief Minister DK Shivakumar presented it in the legislative council. The resolution requests that the Union Government amend the National Medical Commission Act, 2019, to eliminate NEET at the national level and reinstate CET for medical admissions in Karnataka.
“The NEET examination system severely affects the medical education opportunities of poor rural students and deprives state governments of their rights to admit students into state-run medical colleges,” the resolution states. “Given the repeated irregularities in NEET, we urge the Union Government to exempt Karnataka from this examination and permit the use of CET for medical admissions.”
Dr. Patil has been vocal in opposing NEET, citing massive irregularities and its negative impact on underprivileged and rural students aspiring to enter the medical profession.
This move by the Karnataka government follows a similar resolution passed by the ruling Trinamool Congress (TMC) government in West Bengal on Wednesday, which also sought the scrapping of NEET and the return to state-level examinations.
Earlier, on July 23, the Supreme Court declined to cancel the NEET-UG 2024 exam, citing potential disruption for over 24 lakh students who had taken the test. The court was addressing pleas alleging paper leakage and malpractice, which had called for a reevaluation of the results and a new examination.
The Karnataka government’s resolution underscores the growing debate over NEET and its impact on medical education across India.
(With ANI Inputs)
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