Why states want NEET scrapped: Tamil Nadu to Karnataka debate
UPSC / SSC current affairs note · Polity
Why in news
Several states, including Tamil Nadu and Karnataka, have renewed demands to scrap NEET, arguing it disadvantages rural and government school students. The debate highlights tensions between centralised entrance exams and state autonomy in education.
Background
NEET (National Eligibility cum Entrance Test) was introduced in 2016 as a single entrance exam for medical admissions across India. States like Tamil Nadu have long opposed it, citing bias towards CBSE and coaching-heavy students.
Key facts
States argue NEET disadvantages students from rural areas, government schools, and state boards.
NEET favours students from CBSE schools and those who can afford coaching institutes.
Tamil Nadu and Karnataka are among states leading the demand for scrapping NEET.
The central government defends NEET as a measure to ensure merit-based admissions and curb corruption.
Some states have passed resolutions or laws to opt out of NEET, but legal challenges remain.
The Supreme Court has upheld NEET's constitutional validity in previous rulings.
The debate involves issues of federalism, as education is in the Concurrent List.
Alternatives like state-level exams or a common syllabus have been proposed.
Prelims pointers
- NEET: National Eligibility cum Entrance Test
- Introduced in 2016
- Conducted by NTA (National Testing Agency)
- Education in Concurrent List (7th Schedule)
- Article 246: Distribution of legislative powers
- Tamil Nadu's anti-NEET law (2017) struck down by SC
- Karnataka's resolution against NEET (2023)
Mains angles
- GS2 Polity: Federalism and centre-state relations in education policy
- GS2 Social Justice: Equity in access to medical education for rural and disadvantaged students
- GS3 Education: Impact of standardised testing on regional disparities
- GS2 Governance: Role of judiciary in upholding NEET vs state autonomy