Finance Minister Defends NEET Amid Controversy, Highlights Surge in Tamil Nadu Medical Seats

Sitharaman reported a substantial increase in medical seats in Tamil Nadu, from 1,945 in 2011 to 10,425 in 2024—an impressive rise of 8,480 seats in just 13 years.

In a recent Rajya Sabha address, Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman defended the National Eligibility cum Entrance Test (NEET), amidst heated debates, particularly from Tamil Nadu. Sitharaman stressed that NEET, which began in 2012 under the Congress-led UPA II Government, was designed to streamline medical admissions and standardize the process across India.

"NEET was introduced to consolidate multiple entrance exams into a single, nationwide test," Sitharaman said. "It was aimed at maintaining medical education standards and alleviating the burden on students who previously had to appear for numerous exams."

Addressing Tamil Nadu's concerns, Sitharaman noted significant benefits for the state’s students. "Tamil Nadu students secure 85% of medical seats under the state's reservation policy and also access 15% of seats through the All India Quota," she highlighted. She also reported a substantial increase in medical seats in Tamil Nadu, from 1,945 in 2011 to 10,425 in 2024—an impressive rise of 8,480 seats in just 13 years.

Amid the recent NEET UG 2024 paper leak controversy, Sitharaman defended the exam’s integrity. The exam, held on July 7, 2024, faced scrutiny after reports of a paper leak led to calls for a re-examination. On July 23, 2024, the Supreme Court of India, led by Chief Justice D.Y. Chandrachud, ruled against a re-test. The court found no evidence of systemic breaches and concluded that cancelling the exam would disrupt the admission schedule and disadvantage marginalized groups benefiting from reservation policies.

The court’s decision emphasized that while a special test was conducted for 1,563 candidates—offering them the choice of a re-test or grace marks—there was no substantial evidence of widespread issues. Candidates with specific grievances unrelated to the court’s judgment can now approach the High Courts under Article 226. Additionally, a seven-member expert committee has been formed by the Union Government to ensure future NEET UG exams are conducted without similar issues.

"NEET has ensured cost-effective medical education and reduced the influence of vested interests," Sitharaman argued. She also highlighted an improvement in pass rates for Tamil Nadu government school students, noting an increase from 27% to 31% in the recent examination.

The ongoing debate around NEET underscores broader concerns about the fairness and effectiveness of the medical entrance examination system in India, as well as the need for continuous reforms to address emerging challenges.

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