Taking his oath as a member of the 18th Lok Sabha, Independent MP from Bihar's Purnea, Pappu Yadav, donned a t-shirt with the words 'Re-NEET' on it and demanded the re-conduction of the medical entrance exam and special status for Bihar. This comes amidst intense criticism faced by the National Testing Agency (NTA) for alleged irregularities in NEET-UG exams, resulting in demands for disbanding the NTA across the country. In response to this, the Ministry of Education has constituted a high-level committee of experts, led by ISRO former chairman Dr. K. Radhakrishnan, to make recommendations on reforms in the exam process and the functioning of the NTA.
Samvidhan Zindabad: Purnea MP Pappu Yadav's Oath-Taking Protest
Independent MP Pappu Yadav from Bihar's Purnea district caused a stir during his oath-taking ceremony as a member of the 18th Lok Sabha on July 18, 2019. Yadav donned a t-shirt emblazoned with the words "Re-NEET," sparking a debate over the alleged irregularities in the NEET-UG medical entrance exam and the demand for special status for Bihar.
Background
The NEET (National Eligibility cum Entrance Test) is a standardized entrance exam conducted by the National Testing Agency (NTA) for admission to undergraduate medical, dental, and AYUSH courses in India. However, the NTA has faced criticism over allegations of irregularities in the NEET-UG exams, leading to demands for its disbandment across the country.
Yadav's Protest
Yadav's "Re-NEET" protest highlighted the concerns raised by students and parents regarding the alleged technical glitches, server failures, and discrepancies in the NEET-UG exams held in July 2019. He demanded the re-conduction of the exam to ensure fairness and transparency.
Government Response
In response to the criticism, the Ministry of Education constituted a high-level committee of experts, led by ISRO former chairman Dr. K. Radhakrishnan, to review the NEET-UG exam process and the functioning of the NTA. The committee was tasked with making recommendations for reforms to address the concerns raised.
Top 5 FAQs and Answers
1. What is NEET and why is it controversial?
NEET is the single entrance exam for admission to medical, dental, and AYUSH courses in India. It is controversial due to allegations of irregularities in the exam process, such as technical glitches, server failures, and discrepancies in question papers.
2. What is the history of the protests against NEET?
Protests against NEET have been ongoing since its inception in 2016. Concerns have been raised about the impact of the exam on students from rural areas, disadvantaged backgrounds, and regional languages.
3. What is the role of the high-level committee constituted by the government?
The committee is tasked with reviewing the NEET-UG exam process and the functioning of the NTA. It will make recommendations for reforms to address the concerns raised by students and parents.
4. What are the possible outcomes of the committee's recommendations?
The committee's recommendations could lead to changes in the NEET-UG exam format, the number of attempts allowed to candidates, and the role of the NTA in conducting the exam.
5. What is the significance of Pappu Yadav's protest?
Yadav's protest highlighted the concerns raised by students and parents regarding the alleged irregularities in the NEET-UG exam. It also brought attention to the demand for special status for Bihar, which would provide additional opportunities for students from the state.
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