NEET: WB, TN students got different question papers, results ‘disastrous’, say MPs

It has been alleged that NEET question papers in Bengali or Tamil were entirely different from ones in English, and 40,000 students who wrote the exam had ‘disastrous’ results.

New Delhi Members of the TMC and AIADMK in the Rajya Sabha on Monday expressed grave concern over the issue of question papers in vernacular languages being different from one in English given to students attempting the common medical entrance examination in regional languages in West Bengal and Tamil Nadu.

TMC and AIADMK MPs have demanded that the government respond to their allegations that students from West Bengal and Tamil Nadu had suffered because of they were given NEET question papers that were different from papers in English (Hindustan Times/For representation only)

Raising the issue during the Zero Hour, Derek O’Brien (TMC) said till 2013, the English question paper for medical entrance examination, NEET (National Eligibility cum Entrance Test), used to be translated into regional languages.

But this year, those attempting NEET in Bengali or Tamil got question papers that were entirely different, he said, adding that 40,000 of the 56,000 students who wrote the exam in Bengali or Tamil had “disastrous” results.

He also raised the issue of a report that NCERT wanted Rabindranath Tagore out of school testbooks.

The HRD Ministry had a lot to explain on the issue, he said.

“NEET exam is not a West Bengal issue. It is a federal issue,” he said.

He was joined by AIADMK members who demanded scrapping the applicability of NEET to Tamil Nadu.

A Navaneethakrishnan (AIADMK) said a uniform NEET syllabus should be introduced first.

Both TMC and AIADMK members wanted the government to respond, but with no word coming from treasury benches, they rushed into the Well of the House raising anti-NEET slogans.

Deputy Chairman P J Kurien said he had allowed Drek O’Brien to speak because he had given a notice under rule 267 that seeks suspension of listed business to take up discussion on the issue, and allowed the AIADMK members to mention and the issue has been understood.

“Now go back to your seats,” he said.

Reacting to the issue, health minister Jagat Prakash Nadda said the issue was under examination of the government. “We are looking into the matter,” he said.

Members then returned to their places and the House resumed normal functioning thereafter.