Karnataka Deputy CM Urges PM Modi to Replace NEET with State CETs for Medical Admissions
Karnataka Deputy Chief Minister G. Parameshwara has written to Prime Minister Narendra Modi, requesting the replacement of the National Eligibility cum Entrance Test (NEET) with state-level Common Entrance Tests (CETs) for medical admissions. In a letter released to the press on Thursday, July 23, the Deputy Chief Minister argued that such a move would restore transparency and merit-based selection while respecting India's federal structure.
Dr. Parameshwara also appealed for compensation of at least ₹1 crore to the families of students who died by suicide following the NEET paper leak and subsequent systemic failures. He further requested adequate compensation for all students and citizens injured during protests, including those affected by lathi-charge and tear gas use.
The Deputy Chief Minister called for a meaningful dialogue with students, educators, academic institutions, and other stakeholders to undertake comprehensive reforms. He urged an impartial inquiry and strict action against those responsible for the lathi-charge and tear gas incidents involving peacefully protesting students.
“The shocking part has been the response to these voices of concern,” Dr. Parameshwara wrote. “Images of students being subjected to lathi-charges, tear gas, and forcible dispersal while peacefully expressing their anxiety have caused immense pain to citizens across the nation. A democracy must never fear the voices of its young people. Their questions deserve answers, not barricades; their concerns deserve engagement, not suppression.”
Referencing the peaceful hunger strike by climate activist Sonam Wangchuk, the Deputy Chief Minister noted that its handling reinforced perceptions that dissent is increasingly viewed as inconvenient rather than an essential component of democratic discourse.
“There is growing concern among students, parents, educators and employers about the declining credibility of competitive examinations and the overall quality of higher education,” Dr. Parameshwara stated. “These concerns deserve urgent national attention. Every paper leak, every institutional failure, and every unanswered question erodes confidence in India’s educational ecosystem and weakens our global standing.”
