NEET Abolished in Karnataka, State to Implement Own Medical Entrance Test

In a significant move, the Karnataka government is planning to abolish the National Eligibility cum Entrance Test (NEET) due to several controversies, including a major paper leak. On Monday, the state cabinet approved a proposal to replace NEET with a state-specific medical entrance exam. This decision is expected to be formalized with a resolution in both houses of the state legislature during the current session.

Karnataka Deputy Chief Minister DK Shivakumar has been vocal in his criticism of NEET, claiming it favors students from North India over local candidates. He stated, "The NEET exam must be scrapped immediately. The union government should permit states to conduct their own entrance exams. Despite having built numerous medical colleges, NEET benefits students from North India, depriving our own students of opportunities. We must unite in this fight."

State-Specific Medical Entrance Exam:

This shift aligns Karnataka with Tamil Nadu's recent decision to eliminate NEET and revert to a system based on Class 12 marks for medical admissions. Tamil Nadu's legislative action in June saw Chief Minister MK Stalin highlighting the challenges faced by economically disadvantaged students in preparing for NEET. The resolution argued that NEET undermines opportunities for rural students and infringes on states' rights to manage medical college admissions independently.

Additionally, the Karnataka cabinet has proposed establishing the Greater Bengaluru Authority (GBA), which will take over financial control of Bengaluru from the current Bruhat Bengaluru Mahanagara Palike (BBMP). The restructuring of Bengaluru's governance has been a long-standing issue.

Greater Bengaluru Authority:

A resolution opposing the 'One Nation, One Election' initiative is also expected to be presented in the assembly. These critical resolutions are anticipated to be debated and potentially passed on Tuesday or Wednesday.

The proposed changes reflect a broader trend of states seeking more autonomy over educational and administrative matters, highlighting ongoing debates over federal and state authority in India.