Karnataka government urged to call upon Centre to scrap NEET and NTA

Karnataka's state government has been urged to take action against the central government by a coalition of civil society figures, requesting that the National Eligibility-cum-Entrance Test (NEET) and the National Testing Agency (NTA) be abolished. This request comes in the form of a formal letter addressed to the Chief Minister, advocating for the restoration of state control over medical college admissions. The letter highlights concerns regarding the impact of the current centralized admission system on federalism, educational autonomy, and equitable opportunities in higher education. The letter outlines several key issues related to the NEET system. It points out that while education falls under the Concurrent List in the Indian Constitution, the National Medical Commission Act of 2019 has significantly limited the states' ability to select students for medical education. The signatories argue that this act undermines the principle of federalism by imposing a uniform entrance test across the nation, thereby diminishing the role of individual states in shaping their educational policies. Critics of the NEET system emphasize that a single examination cannot guarantee substantive equality in a diverse country with varying school curricula, languages, and socio-economic conditions. They contend that the current system disproportionately benefits students from more affluent and urban backgrounds who can afford costly coaching classes. This disparity results in a situation where students from government schools, rural areas, and Kannada-medium institutions face structural disadvantages. The letter also references ongoing controversies surrounding the NEET exam, including allegations of question paper leaks, examination irregularities, and doubts about the reliability of scores. These issues have reportedly eroded public trust in the centralized examination system. In response, the signatories propose a shift towards using students' scores in their class 12 exams, specifically in subjects such as physics, chemistry, and biology, as the basis for medical college admissions. They suggest incorporating constitutional reservations into this new framework and addressing discrepancies in evaluation standards through a transparent normalization process. Furthermore, the letter draws attention to the Tamil Nadu Assembly's recent passage of the Tamil Nadu Admission to Undergraduate Medical Degree Courses Bill, 2021. The signatories recommend that Karnataka consider adopting similar legislation and seek the President's approval under Article 254(2) of the Constitution. This approach would allow the state to assert its authority over medical admissions while aligning with constitutional provisions. The letter calls for extensive consultation involving students, parents, teachers, educationists, medical professionals, social justice organizations, and political parties. It emphasizes the need for coordination with other states that oppose the NEET system. The signatories stress that medical education admissions should not hinge on a student's family's economic status, access to expensive coaching, or performance in a single centralized examination. Instead, they advocate for a system that reflects students' school performance, sustained effort, and adherence to the principles of social justice. Among the notable individuals who signed the letter are retired Supreme Court judge Gopal Gowda, educationist V.P. Niranjanaradhya, writers Basavaraj Sulibhavi, Rajarama Tallur, Moodnakoodu Chinnaswamy, K. Neela, Rahmat Tarikere, and Ashoka Shettar, journalist Indudhar Honnapura, doctors H.S. Anupama and Rudragowda C. Patil, theatre and film personality B. Suresh, and former Vice-Chancellor Sabiha Bhoomigowda. Their collective voices underscore the growing concern over the implications of the NEET system on educational equity and the broader landscape of higher education in India.