In the midst of growing controversy surrounding the NEET medical entrance examination, former HRD Minister Kapil Sibal has called for a Supreme Court-appointed investigation into allegations of irregularities.
In an interview with PTI on Sunday, the Rajya Sabha MP also urged the government to engage in thorough consultations with all states to determine the future conduct of the examination.
Sibal criticized Prime Minister Narendra Modi for remaining silent on the issue, stating, "If the testing system in any examination becomes corrupt, it is not really neat for the PM to remain silent." He expressed skepticism about the issue being discussed in the upcoming Parliament session, predicting the government will block any debate by claiming the matter is sub-judice.
Sibal lamented that supporters of the current government often blame the UPA for issues of corruption, which he finds "most unfortunate" as these accusations are usually made without full understanding.
Recalling the history of NEET's regulation, Sibal noted that it was introduced in 2010 by the Medical Council of India (MCI), under the health ministry, not the education ministry. He clarified that as HRD Minister, he had no role in NEET's inception. The regulation was initially struck down by the Supreme Court in 2013 but was reinstated following a review petition in 2014.
Sibal also criticized Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan for dismissing allegations of exam rigging and paper leaks. "He should check social media to see how this is happening in Gujarat," Sibal remarked, noting the state's ironic progress in corruption.
He alleged that examination corruption is rampant nationwide. Highlighting the case of 67 students achieving top scores at the same center, he questioned the minister's dismissal of concerns.
Addressing the broader issue, Sibal noted the complexities of India's diverse education systen, pointing out that the NEET exam's reliance on CBSE courses disadvantages students from other educational boards, as evidenced by Tamil Nadu's opposition to NEET.
Sibal called for a thorough investigation into NEET irregularities, suggesting that only an independent agency or Supreme Court-selected officials, not government appointees, could conduct a fair probe.
Sibal concluded by urging all political parties to address this critical issue in Parliament, emphasizing its impact on the lives of young people across the country.
The recent NEET exam, held on May 5, saw around 24 lakh candidates across 4,750 centers, amid ongoing allegations of paper leaks and other irregularities.
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