NEET re-exam plan draws student ire

Mysuru: Students who recently appeared for NEET-UG are upset following the announcement by the National Testing Agency (NTA) that a re-examination will be conducted soon. They urged the Union govt to hold senior officials accountable for the fiasco and crack down on the mafia behind the question paper leak. The students also questioned the Centre’s silence over a similar incident in 2024.

Sharat Chandra KS, a student, said the entire episode has created confusion and uncertainty among students. “It is unfortunate that in this era of technological advancement, the NTA is unable to conduct NEET-UG without question paper leaks,” he said. “This will only add to the pressure on students,” he added.

“NEET-UG is one of the toughest entrance examinations. Students undergo immense pressure while preparing for it. Many are now not in a position to rewrite the examination,” said Shwetha GK, another student. “It is unfortunate that only NEET-UG question papers are being targeted,” she added.

Meanwhile, the AIDSO Mysuru district committee condemned the incident and held the Union govt responsible. “Recurring NEET-UG question paper leaks are not merely a failure of an examination body but a grave injustice to the hard work and aspirations of lakhs of honest students,” said Nithin, district secretary of AIDSO.

“For the second time in just three years, the dreams of those aspiring for medical education have been compromised. The fact that the National Testing Agency (NTA) is acting under the influence of the coaching mafia reflects the deteriorating state of the system. This has led to rising anxiety and despair among students,” he said.

“Our demands include scrapping the NTA, strict punishment for those responsible, and strengthening the public education system,” he added.