Highlights:
- The Tamil Nadu government has introduced the Anti-NEET Bill 2021 in the state assembly.
- According to the bill, “NEET is not an equitable method of admission.”
- This year, the number of aspirants fell by 7%.
Chief Minister MK Stalin of Tamil Nadu presented a bill in the Assembly on September 13 seeking for the state to be exempted from the National Eligibility Cum Entrance Test (NEET) for admission to medical schools. According to Mr Stalin, the NEET (National Eligibility Cum Entrance Test) is a major cause of concern in the state and his government plans to implement laws to permanently scrap the entrance test. The statements came after a medical student was found dead at his Salem home.
The National Eligibility Test for Undergraduate Medical Courses (NEET) is an all-India level admission test for undergraduate medical courses. This year’s exam was held around the country on September 12 from 2 p.m. to 5 p.m.
Since its recommendation in 2013, Tamil Nadu has been vocal in its opposition to the National Eligibility cum Entrance Test. ‘NEET is not an equitable method of admission,’ states the bill’s statement of objects and reasons.
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The government has now presented the Tamil Nadu Anti-NEET Bill 2021 on the assembly floor. According to the bill, “it has been passed to provide social justice, upholding quality, and equal opportunity to safeguard all vulnerable students’ community from discrimination and bring them into the mainstream education system.” It is also important to note that the number of NEET exam applicants decreased by 7% this year.
The AIADMK strongly opposed to the NEET test. Earlier, former Chief Minister J Jayalalithaa had strongly appealed the central government, and after a legal tussle, Tamil Nadu was granted a one-year of stay on the exam. As a result, the AIADMK is expected to support the TN Anti-NEET Bill 2021, which was introduced in the assembly today. Meanwhile, Tamil Nadu’s Leader of Opposition EPS has stated that the government or governing party’s anti-NEET bill would be supported. Previously, the government created a committee to investigate the impact of the exam on medical admissions. The state government has also requested feedback from the general public and other stakeholders.
