Karnataka Cabinet Decides To Replace NEET With State-Specific Medical Entrance Exam

The Karnataka Cabinet has decided to abolish the National Eligibility-cum-Entrance Test (NEET) in the state, opting instead for a new entrance exam for undergraduate and postgraduate medical courses.

In a late-night session on Monday, Chief Minister Siddaramaiah's Cabinet also approved two other resolutions: one on the delimitation of state legislative assemblies and Lok Sabha constituencies, and another opposing the 'One Nation, One Election' concept.

These resolutions are expected to be presented during the current legislative session, possibly as early as Tuesday, according to sources from PTI.

This decision comes amidst rising concerns over NEET. Deputy Chief Minister DK Shivakumar recently urged the central government to scrap NEET and allow states to conduct their own entrance exams. "The irregularities in the NEET exam are serious. It affects the future of countless students. The Centre must scrap NEET and let states hold their own entrance tests. Students from all over the country can participate in these state-conducted exams," Shivakumar stated.

He also highlighted the negative impact on Karnataka students, saying, "Students from Karnataka are facing injustice. Our colleges benefit students from North India while depriving local students. We must unite against this. The Centre should investigate the NEET exam irregularities."

In 2021, Tamil Nadu's DMK government passed legislation seeking exemption from NEET, with Chief Minister MK Stalin labeling the exam as discriminatory and disadvantageous to rural students aspiring to pursue medical careers. A similar attempt by the AIADMK government under Edappadi K Palaniswami in 2017 failed to receive presidential approval.

Meanwhile, the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) is probing multiple alleged irregularities and paper leaks in the NEET-UG 2024 exams, with six FIRs already lodged.

The NEET-UG, conducted by the National Testing Agency (NTA), is currently the gateway for admissions into MBBS, BDS, AYUSH, and related courses in both government and private institutions.