Tamil Nadu Assembly passes resolution to scrap NEET amid ‘paper leak and grace marks’ row

The Tamil Nadu Assembly has unanimously passed a resolution opposing the National Eligibility and Entrance Test (NEET). The resolution urges the central government to repeal NEET and restore the previous practice of medical admissions based on class 12 marks, followed before the implementation of NEET.

Amidst the uproar over the paper leak issue and the unexpected postponement of the NEET-PG 2024 exam, Tamil Nadu Chief Minister MK Stalin introduced the resolution.

Several regional parties, including the Communist Party of India (Marxist), Manithaneya Makkal Katchi, Marumalarchi Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam, and Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam, supported the resolution.

Earlier, DMK MP K. Kanimozhi reiterated the call to "exempt" Tamil Nadu from NEET, the medical admission exam conducted nationwide by the National Testing Agency (NTA).

Kanimozhi said that Tamil Nadu has been consistently saying that “we do not want NEET”. Now it has been proven that NEET is not a fair examination, and students are losing so much because of NEET, he said. “We want NEET to be abolished. We have passed a resolution in our Assembly, and it is still pending with the President for signature,” Kanimozhi said, as quoted by newswire ANI.

The NEET-UG 2024 examination, organized by the National Testing Agency (NTA) on May 5, was held at 4,750 centres across 571 cities, including 14 international locations, with over 23 lakh candidates participating. An extraordinary 67 candidates achieved a perfect score of 720 out of 720, sparking nationwide protests.

The Ministry of Education announced the formation of a high-level expert committee tasked with recommending reforms for the examination process, enhancing data security protocols, and improving the operations of the NTA.

The Opposition leaders created a ruckus in Lok Sabha demanding a discussion on irregularities in the NEET-UG examinations and the ‘failure’ of NTA.

Members of Parliament (MPs) from Opposition parties, including the Congress, moved adjournment motions demanding discussion on the issues in both the Houses, a demand that was rejected.

(With inputs from agencies)