K'ataka assembly passes resolution against NEET

Bengaluru, NT Bureau: Adopting a strong stand against the controversy-ridden National Eligibility cum Entrance Test (NEET), the Siddaramaiah-led Congress government in Karnataka on Thursday passed a resolution in both Houses of the Legislature, urging the Centre to revert to the state’s earlier system of the Common Entrance Test (CET) for medical admissions.

The resolution, highlighting perceived flaws and recent irregularities in NEET, calls for Karnataka to be exempted from the national exam and a plea to use CET for medical college admissions.

Medical Education Minister Dr Sharan Prakash Patil introduced the resolution in the Assembly, while Deputy Chief Minister DK Shivakumar presented it in the legislative council.

The resolution criticises NEET for its adverse impact on rural students from disadvantaged backgrounds, arguing that it undermines state governments' rights to manage admissions to their medical colleges.

“The NEET system severely affects the medical education opportunities of poor rural students and deprives the rights of the state governments to admit students in state government's medical colleges. Considering the irregularities in the NEET exam, the Union Government should make amendments in the National Medical Commission Act, 2019 so that the NEET system is given up,” the resolution states.