Executive Summary:
This document is the Minister of Education's response to questions raised in Lok Sabha regarding the NEET examination. It addresses state opposition, allegations of irregularities, and the possibility of restoring state autonomy in conducting medical entrance exams. The National Testing Agency (NTA) conducts NEET UG since 2019, following Supreme Court directives and the NMC Act of 2019.
Key Points / Main Content:
NEET Examination:
- NTA conducts NEET UG on behalf of the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare since 2019, following Supreme Court directives in CBSE vs. T.K. Rangarajan (2018).
- The NMC Act of 2019 mandates NEET as the uniform entrance test for undergraduate and postgraduate medical courses across India.
- The Supreme Court in Christian Medical College Vellore Association vs. UOI Ors (2020) upheld NEET, emphasizing its role in ensuring fairness and weeding out malpractices.
- NEET UG 2025 was conducted on May 4, 2025, for over 22 lakh candidates in 552 cities (including 14 outside India), with results declared on June 14, 2025.
Addressing Irregularities and Strengthening NTA:
- A High-Level Committee of Experts (HLCE) was formed on June 22, 2024, to suggest measures for transparent and fair examinations, submitting its report on October 21, 2024.
- NTA has created 16 new posts (8 Director and 8 Joint Director levels) to strengthen its operations.
- Institutional linkages with States and Districts have been established.
- A High-Powered Steering Committee, chaired by Dr. K. Radhakrishnan, is constituted to oversee the implementation of reforms in national-level examinations by the NTA.
Impact Analysis:
Ministry of Education:
- Impact: Responsible for addressing concerns regarding NEET and ensuring fair conduct of examinations through NTA.
- Action Required: Implement recommendations from the HLCE and oversee the reforms through the High-Powered Steering Committee.
National Testing Agency (NTA):
- Impact: Responsible for conducting NEET UG and implementing measures for transparent, smooth, and fair examinations.
- Action Required: Strengthen institutional linkages, fill the newly created posts, and implement the reforms recommended by the HLCE and overseen by the High-Powered Steering Committee.
Medical Aspirants:
- Impact: Affected by the uniform entrance test (NEET) for undergraduate and postgraduate medical courses.
- Action Required: Prepare for and participate in NEET UG conducted by NTA.
States:
- Impact: Concerns regarding NEET are addressed by the central government, but autonomy in conducting medical entrance examinations is not restored.
- Action Required: Collaborate with NTA and adhere to NEET guidelines for medical admissions.
Key Entities Referenced
National Eligibility cum Entrance Test NEET: A uniform entrance test for admission to undergraduate and postgraduate courses in medical institutions in India.
Ministry of Education: The government ministry responsible for education.
Lok Sabha: The lower house of the Parliament of India, where the starred question was raised.
National Testing Agency NTA: The agency responsible for conducting the National Eligibility cum Entrance Test (NEET).
Ministry of Health and Family Welfare: The government ministry that the NTA is conducting the NEET examination on behalf of.
National Medical Commission NMC Act, 2019: The act of parliament that mandates NEET as the uniform entrance test.
Supreme Court: The highest judicial body in India, which has delivered judgments related to NEET.
High-Level Committee of Experts HLCE: A committee constituted by the Ministry of Education to suggest measures for fair conduct of examinations by NTA.
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.
*****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 14th 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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