The NEET UG 2024 chaos: A closer look

National Eligibility cum Entrance Test aka NEET is a unified entrance examination that offers admission to undergraduate medical and dental programs in various colleges across India. It is conducted by the National Testing Agency (NTA) and prior to it, the Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE) was in charge of conducting the examination. Typically held annually in May, the NEET exam 2024 turned into a significant debacle. From claims of paper leaks, exam center delays, and OMR sheet manipulation to exam misconduct, and inaccurately constructed questions, the National Testing Agency is amidst several accusations and cases around India.

However, the central issue in the NEET UG controversy is the inflated scores and ranks, leading to a top-heavy distribution rather than the ideal long-tail distribution typical of large competitive exams. This situation has raised doubts concerning NTA's commitment to conducting the essential medical entrance exam responsibly and ethically.

Nevertheless, this is not the first time that NEET has become the talk of the town. Even prior to its introduction, NEET faced opposition from influential groups, including state governments, underscoring its profound societal impact.

Decoding the history of NEET

Initially, NEET was proposed to commence in 2012; however, it was delayed by a year as the CBSE and the Medical Council of India postponed its implementation. Finally, on May 5, 2013, the inaugural NEET examination took place, intended for candidates seeking admission to both undergraduate and postgraduate medical courses.

Nevertheless, on July 18, 2013, several petitions were issued demanding the revocation of the exam. Subsequently, the Supreme Court ruled in favour of these petitions, cancelling the NEET exam on the grounds that the Medical Council of India exceeded its authority in regulating college admissions. As a result of the lawsuits filed against the exam, NEET could not be conducted in 2014 and 2015.

On 11th April 2016, NEET was restored and on 1st May 2016, the All India Pre-Medical Test was conducted, marking the initial phase of NEET. Phase one participants were eligible to proceed to the next phase of NEET held on July 24, 2016, under the condition that they forgo their scores from Phase 1. While NEET 2016 was conducted in English and Hindi, a new regulation proposed the exam to be conducted in Tamil, Telugu, Marathi, Bengali, Assamese, Kannada, Odia and Gujarati from 2017 onwards.

Unveiling the fiasco behind NEET UG controversy

The NEET 2024 fiasco is not new. In 2015, in light of the question paper leak and the release of answer keys at multiple exam venues across ten states, the All India Pre-Medical Test (AIPMT), administered by the Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE) was cancelled by the Supreme Court. But shortly thereafter, the candidates were relieved when the court ordered the CBSE to re-conduct the exam.

Not only that, the NEET exam has drawn criticism from various educators and experts for encouraging the growth of numerous coaching institutions in India that charge exorbitant fees, thereby favoring the wealthy while neglecting those from lower socioeconomic backgrounds. Moreover, the stress to pass the exam encourages suicidal activities. In 2023, a 19-year-old aspiring medical student took his own life after failing NEET twice, and unable to cope with the loss, his father also tragically succumbed to his son's footsteps. That's not all, recently a video is gaining ground on the internet, showcasing a UPSC aspirant consoling her unconscious mother and emotional father after being denied entry to her exam center. These incidents are just a few among the many that highlight the stress and anxiety associated with the exam.

Should NEET be revoked for good?

The question that is running through the majority of our minds is: should this test be revoked for good?

Surely, it serves as a standardized entrance examination granting admission to top medical colleges in India and ranks among the largest nationwide exams. And it represents a critical milestone on the path to becoming a medical professional.

Given the importance of the test, which is hard to overlook, perhaps it is now imperative for students, parents, and coaching professionals to recognize and advocate that failure in such exams can not dictate one's future and that better opportunities do exist. Further, on the part of the government, it stands crucial to develop more stringent measures to remove irregularities in the conduction of the examination and ensure smooth administration, upholding the authenticity of the test.

Whether the test should be permanently discontinued is a question that only the future educational scenario will answer.