Tamil Nadu criticizes the central government for NEET irregularities, calling for its abolition
Earlier today, the Centre informed the Supreme Court that the decision to award grace marks to 1,563 NEET-UG 2024 candidates for MBBS and BDS admissions has been rescinded. These candidates now have the option to retake the test on June 23.
The Tamil Nadu government criticized the Centre on Thursday for alleged irregularities in the National Eligibility-cum-Entrance Test (NEET) for medical admissions, labeling the grace marks allocation as "unacceptable" and fraudulent. State Health Minister Ma Subramanian highlighted that the widespread protests and resentment against NEET have strengthened the DMK's demand to abolish the screening test.
Subramanian held the National Testing Agency (NTA) responsible for the confusion and irregularities, particularly the grace marks decision, questioning its basis and whether it was communicated to NEET aspirants. He claimed these issues have caused mental distress to the 23 lakh candidates who took the test and asserted that no candidates from Tamil Nadu received grace marks.
Reiterating the call to abolish NEET, Subramanian noted that DMK president and Chief Minister M K Stalin have long advocated for its abolition. He urged the union government to take action to eliminate NEET.
Subramanian also criticized former Chief Minister Edappadi K Palaniswami for allowing NEET in Tamil Nadu despite opposition from his party leader, the late Chief Minister J Jayalalithaa. He called for justice for aspirants, arguing that NEET has denied many students, especially those from rural and economically disadvantaged backgrounds, the chance to pursue medical education.
The Centre informed the Supreme Court that the grace marks awarded to 1,563 NEET-UG 2024 candidates have been canceled.
The affected candidates can retake the test on June 23, 2024.
The Tamil Nadu government criticized the Centre for alleged irregularities and the allocation of grace marks, calling it unacceptable and fraudulent.
The DMK has reiterated its demand to abolish NEET entirely.
The Tamil Nadu Health Minister blamed the National Testing Agency (NTA) for the confusion and irregularities.
