After Karnataka, the Trinamool Congress (TMC) ruled West Bengal moved the resolution in the legislative assembly condemning and scrapping the National Eligibility-cum-Entrance Test (NEET) in the state. Alongside this, the West Bengal government demanded that the Joint Entrance Examination (JEE) be reinstated in the state.
West Bengal To Introduce New Entrance Exam For Medical Courses
The West Bengal government upon the scrapping of the NEET, also plans to introduce a new entrance exam for students who would be seeking to pursue medical studies. The decision comes after concerns around the centralized format of NEET, along with the government’s attempt to provide students with more opportunities. The decision is also followed by Karnataka’s similar decision on Monday, July 22.
Mamata Banerjee Urges PM Modi To Abolish NEET
Moreover, earlier in June, West Bengal’s Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee wrote a letter to Prime Minister Narendra Modi suggesting the abolition of NEET and reverting back to the age-old system where states would have their own entrance examinations for students. The resolution passed also entailed the failures of the National Testing Agency (NTA).
Education Minister Asks For Restoration Of JEE
The State Education Minister of West Bengal, Bratya Basu, mentioned in the same assembly that the JEE must be restored in the state like it was in 2016-17. Kerala, Tamil Nadu and now Karnataka have already made the same demands. Bratya Basu urged the center to take immediate action on the issue. Earlier on Monday, the Karnataka government had made a similar decision on Monday where the resolution was passed in both houses of the parliament. Tamil Nadu had also already made the decision and reverted back to state-based medical admissions.
SC Dismissed Requests To Re-Conduct The Exam
Over 23 Lakh students pursuing medical courses appeared in the NEET-UG exam this year. After much protests and criticism over alleged mispractices during the conduction of the exam, the Supreme Court on Sunday dismissed the requests to cancel and re-conduct the examination as justice to all students. However, the court claimed that it found no evidence of widespread cheating or question paper leaks. The decision was taken in favor of the much-criticized NDA government and the National Testing Agency (NTA).