We want NEET, students and parents tell Maharashtra govt

Students arrive to give the National Eligibility-cum-Entrance Test (NEET) 2021 at Thakur College earlier this month. Pic/Satej Shinde

As Maharashtra is reviewing the National Eligibility-cum-Entrance for medical admissions, following Tamil Nadu passing a bill to exclude NEET in the state, parents of aspirants have voiced their opposition. NEET, which determines medical admissions across the country, began in 2016. However, TN passed a bill to do away with NEET in the state and mandated that medical admissions would take place based on Std 12 marks, triggering ripple effects in some states.

Soon after TN's decision, Maharashtra medical education minister Amit Deshmukh announced the state's plan to review the test. "We are currently in the process of taking a stock of the situation, starting from if a state can demand such an exemption to if it will be a comfortable option for students in Maharashtra. After discussions, state's decision will be taken," stated Deshmukh. Deshmukh's statement, which came on the heels of state Congress chief Nana Patole's letter to chief minister (CM) Uddhav Thackeray seeking scrapping of NEET, has led to major discussions in Maharashtra.

Sudha Shenoy, said, "This just means bringing back the old chaotic process of medical admission. More so, when the Supreme Court has already ruled in favour of NEET when it was implemented in 2016, can a state have power to overrule it? Yes, we understand that there could be flaws with the system but those can be corrected. Eliminating the test is not an option."

Brijesh Sutaria, a parent, says any move to change the exam should be taken two years in advance

Shenoy said parents were happy in 2016 when the exam was implemented across the country, as it meant the students did not have to appear for multiple entrance tests to bag a seat at medical institutions. She said, "NEET not only ensures parity in merit as it is one test across the nation; it also promises transparency in the admission process. All of this will be lost if TN's decision is replicated here in Maharashtra." She also said that several students in TN are also planning to move court against the government's stand.

There is also severe opposition in the state about exempting Maharashtra from NEET from this year as NEET exam has already been held. "Rules of a game are decided before it starts, not at the time of declaring the result. These students have prepared for NEET for two years straight. And in this process, they tend to ignore Std 12 studies as one only requires above 50 per cent in board exams to qualify for a medical seat," said Brijesh Sutaria, a concerned. He said he along with other parents has already started taking steps to meet with the Union minister of health Mansukh Mandaviya and Deshmukh to present parents' concerns. Sutaria said high scoring NEET candidates from TN are most likely to move court. He said that decisions regarding any change in exams should be taken at least two years in advance.

Shreya Mulay, an aspirant, said, "If NEET is not there, then the same stress is going to be multiplied due to different curriculums and multiple admission processes. Moreover, there will be a question on uniformity." Another aspirant, Aditya Lele, feels that NEET is the best option to ensure uniformity as well as transparency. "No teacher can interfere with your marks in NEET. No other system can ensure the same level of transparency."