Lok Sabha Question No. 206 (STARRED), answered on 2025-08-04
Subject: NEET Examination
Ministry: EDUCATION
Asked by: Dr. Kalanidhi Veeraswamy

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF EDUCATION DEPARTMENT OF HIGHER EDUCATION

## LOK SABHA STARRED QUESTION NO-206

ANSWERED ON- 04/08/2025

## NEET Examination

- *206.  Dr. Kalanidhi Veeraswamy:

Will the Minister of EDUCATION be pleased to state:

- (a)  whether the Government is aware of widespread opposition from States to the National Eligibility cum Entrance Test (NEET);
- (b)  the steps taken/being taken by the Government to address allegations of irregularities and paper leaks in the recent NEET examination;
- (c) whether the Government has any plans to restore autonomy to States in conducting medical entrance examinations;
- (d)  if so, the details thereof; and
- (e)  if not, the reasons therefor?

## ANSWER

## MINISTER OF EDUCATION (SHRI DHARMENDRA PRADHAN)

(a) to (e): A Statement is laid on the table of the House.

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STATEMENT REFFERED TO IN REPLY TO PARTS (a) to (e) IN RESPECT OF LOK SABHA STARRED QUESTION NO. *206 FOR REPLY ON 04.08.2025 REGARDING 'NEET EXAMINATION' ASKED BY DR. KALANIDHI VEERASWAMY, HON'BLE MEMBER OF PARLIAMENT

(a) to (e): In compliance with the directions of the Hon'ble Supreme Court, as delivered in its judgment dated 22 November 2018 in the case of CBSE vs. T.K. Rangarajan [CA No. 11230 of 2018], the National Testing Agency (NTA) has been conducting the National Eligibility cum Entrance Test- UG (NEET-UG) examination on behalf of the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare since 2019.

As  per  Section  14  of  the  National  Medical  Commission  (NMC)  Act,  2019  the  National Eligibility cum Entrance Test (NEET) is to be conducted as uniform entrance test for admission to the undergraduate and postgraduate courses in all medical institutions in the country.

Hon'ble Supreme Court through its Judgement dated 29th April 2020 in Christian Medical College Vellore Association vs. UOI & Ors has upheld the NEET as a uniform entrance test for admission to the undergraduate and postgraduate courses in all medical institutions, noting that Uniform Entrance Test qualifies the test of proportionality and is reasonable. The Court further noted that '..The regulatory measures by prescribing NEET is to bring the education within the realm of charity which character it has lost. It intends to weed out evils from the system and various malpractices which decayed the system...'

The NEET (UG)-2025 Examination was conducted by NTA for more than 22 lakh candidates at 5468 different centres located in 552 Cities throughout the country and 14 Cities outside India on 4th May 2025. The result of NEET(UG) examination has been successfully declared on 14 th June, 2025.

In order to suggest effective measures for transparent, smooth and fair conduct of examinations by  NTA,  the  Ministry  of  Education  had  constituted  a  High-Level  Committee  of  Experts (HLCE) on 22.06.2024. The Committee has submitted its report to the Ministry on 21.10.2024. For strengthening of the NTA, 16 new posts have been created in NTA, 8 each at the Director and Joint Director levels. Institutional linkages with States and Districts have been established.

Also, as per recommendations of the HLCE, a High-Powered Steering Committee, chaired by Dr.  K.  Radhakrishnan,  former  Chairman,  I.S.R.O.  is  already  constituted  to  oversee  the implementation of reforms in the conduct of national-level examinations by the NTA.

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