Health Minister Defends NEET Amid Controversies

Health Minister J P Nadda defended the NEET, stating it reformed medical education by curtailing corruption and exorbitant fees for PG seats. Addressing issues of paper leaks, he emphasized that NEET replaced the previous system where seats were sold for Rs 8-13 crore, reducing corruption and standardizing education.

Health Minister J P Nadda on Friday strongly defended the National Eligibility-cum-Entrance Test (NEET) amid ongoing scrutiny over paper leak allegations. He emphasized that before NEET, medical education had turned into an open business where post-graduate seats were sold for an exorbitant Rs 8 crore to Rs 13 crore.

During a discussion on a private member's bill in the Rajya Sabha, Nadda highlighted the rampant corruption that existed in medical education prior to the implementation of NEET during his initial tenure as health minister. Nadda pointed out that the NEET standardized the education system, making it fair and affordable for all students.

Nadda remarked that prior to NEET, students faced considerable challenges, including traveling across the country for multiple exams, which involved significant costs and time, alongside battling systemic corruption. He mentioned that the admission lists were only displayed briefly, allowing institutions to misuse their discretion, making the entire process highly corrupt and inefficient. The matter had been pending in the Supreme Court for a long time before NEET was introduced.