TAMIL NADU ASSEMBLY HAS PASSED A BILL AGAINST NEET

TAMIL NADU ASSEMBLY HAS PASSED A BILL AGAINST NEET

Context:

The Tamil Nadu Assembly has passed the National Entrance cum Eligibility Test (NEET) Bill. The Assembly passed the bill based on the recommendations of the executive committee headed by retired judge AK Rajan.

About the Bill:

• The bill will allow for admission to medical studies in accordance with Class 12 marks "ensuring social justice".

Tamil Nadu’s Take on the Bill:

• The state assembly states that the National Eligibility-cum-Entrance Test is not a fair or equitable measure of acceptance because it favours rich and high-class social classes who cannot train.

Background:

• The National Eligibility Entrance Test (NEET), formerly the All India Pre-Medical Test (AIPMT), is a qualifying test for MBBS and BDS programs in Indian medical and dental colleges. It is done by the National Testing Agency (NTA).

Arguments Against NEET:

• NEET ‘undermined the diverse societal representation’ in MBBS and higher medical studies, favouring mainly the affluent class.
• The most affected social groups were Tamil students, of public school backgrounds, those having a parental income of less than Rs 2.5 lakh per annum.
• If NEET continues, the public health care system will be severely affected and there may not be enough doctors in Primary Health Centers or state-run hospitals.