The National Eligibility Entrance Test (NEET), previously known as the All India Pre-Medical Test (AIPMT), is a mandatory qualifying examination for gaining admission into MBBS and BDS courses in Indian medical and dental colleges. The test, conducted by the National Testing Agency (NTA), was first proposed in 2009 by the Medical Council of India (MCI), now replaced by the National Medical Commission.
In 2010, MCI issued a notification to standardize admissions into MBBS and BDS courses across the country via this common entrance test. However, in 2013, NEET was deemed unconstitutional by the Supreme Court, which stated that the MCI had no authority to regulate admissions through such notifications.
In a turnaround, a five-judge bench led by Justice Anil R. Dave in 2016 recalled its 2013 judgment and reinstated NEET. To address concerns from some stakeholders, the Union Government passed an ordinance in May 2016, giving state-run medical colleges a one-year exemption from the Supreme Court’s mandate.
Tamil Nadu’s Resistance to NEET
Tamil Nadu has been vehemently opposing NEET since its inception, originally obtaining exemption from NEET-based admissions. However, following the Supreme Court’s refusal in 2017 to extend this exemption, the state has continued its legal fight against NEET.
Retired High Court judge Justice A. K. Rajan led a committee appointed by the state to study the impact of NEET-based admissions. The committee found that NEET’s implementation harmed students who passed the Tamil Nadu Board of Secondary Examination (TNBSE), giving an undue advantage to Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE) students. It also highlighted that most students gaining medical college admissions post-NEET had undergone coaching, moving the focus from subject learning to exam preparation.
Challenges Presented by NEET
The shift of focus towards cracking a single, all-important examination has led to the proliferation of a multi-billion dollar coaching industry. It has also overshadowed efforts in higher secondary education.
The conduct of NEET has faced scrutiny due to cases of impersonation and other discrepancies. Furthermore, the financial and social resources required to undertake repeat attempts at NEET are often beyond the reach of economically disadvantaged families.
While NEET has ensured merit-based admissions in affordable state-run institutions, it has not addressed economic inequality. Private colleges and deemed universities continue to admit students with poor NEET scores but high economic means, edging out deserving candidates from lower economic backgrounds.
Current Status of the Tamil Nadu Bill to Dispense with NEET
The President denied consent to two Bills passed unanimously by the Tamil Nadu Legislative Assembly in 2017 seeking exemption from NEET-based admissions for medical degree courses. In 2021, a fresh Bill to admit students based solely on class XII board examination scores was adopted and sent back to the Governor after being returned by him in February 2022. The Bill has since been forwarded to the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) for Presidential assent.
The Ministry of State for Home Affairs informed the Lok Sabha that clarification has been requested from the Tamil Nadu Government regarding the Bill seeking to dispense with NEET. Comments on the Bill received from the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare and the Ministry of AYUSH have also been shared with the Tamil Nadu government for their clarification and response.