The idea of banning the National Entrance-cum-Eligibility Test (NEET) in Tamil Nadu appears to be chasing the unicorn, with the Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (DMK) consistently opposing it for some time. The party’s argument against NEET revolves around its impact on students, the state’s education system, and public dissatisfaction. Initially, Tamil Nadu was given opportunities to transition to the new system, and since 2017, the central government has included nine more languages, including Tamil, providing additional advantages. Now, the DMK’s opposition to banning NEET is diminishing, and both students and parents are expressing optimism about the exam.
More than 150,000 students participated in the NEET held statewide on 5 May 2024. Test takers reported finding the physics section challenging, while the chemistry and biology sections were perceived as comparatively easier.
Over the last three years, there has been a steady increase in the number of students from the state taking the NEET exam 142,000 in 2022, 147,000 in 2023, and 155,000 in 2024. This trend mirrors a national pattern attributed to heightened awareness about NEET and a larger number of students attempting the exam multiple times, according to a teacher from a leading coaching center.
Among the 155,000 candidates this year, 12,370 are from government schools and received coaching from the school education department. Among them, 9,094 were girls and 3,647 were boys. Official figures reveal that in 2023, 12,997 government students appeared for NEET, with 3,982 passing, while in 2022, 14,979 took the exam, and 4,118 succeeded.
Contrary to the overall trend, there hasn’t been a proportional rise in the number of government school students taking NEET. Officials from the education department attribute this to economic constraints preventing many of these students from retaking the exam.
On exam day, large crowds of parents were seen outside examination centers, causing heavy traffic congestion. One parent,
Kavitha, a parent hailing from Maittanpatty village in Madurai, identified herself when speaking to the reporter said, “This is our daughters second attempt. She didn’t get in her first attempt due to low marks. A girl from a village has come once again saying that she will study and pass in it. She has come for her second attempt studied in government school. As far as I’m concerned, it’s good to have NEET because we’re poor who can’t afford to pay lakhs and join. NEET is common, If we pass we’ll get, otherwise not. If there is no NEET, Those of us who do not have ten lakhs, what shall we do? We are farmers. Instead we will arrange marriage for our daughter.” She took pride in her daughter’s resilience as she embarked on her second attempt, despite studying in Tamil medium. She was content with the fact that NEET allowed her daughter to take the exam in her preferred language. Additionally, she emphasized that NEET is advantageous for the economically disadvantaged, while only the affluent tend to oppose it.
அடேய் பால்டாயிங் நீ நீட் ரகசியம் சொன்னது போதும், மக்களே தெளிவாயிட்டாங்க…. pic.twitter.com/kOjJ58NrJQ
— john ravi. (@johnravi1974) May 5, 2024
Another student, identifying herself as Sandhiya from Mannachanallur, Trichy, expressed to the reporters that, “Last year I gave my first attemot and this is my second attempt. After a year of self study and coaching myself I’m writing this time. Botany, Zoology was easy and like the last year Physics was little tough, chemistry was a bit better. What I am trying to say is that some are saying now that NEET should be exempted, (with hesitation). It is unnecessary, because there is 7.5% reservation for government school students right and because of that even poor are becoming doctors so NEET is very important.”
Afterwards, she recommended to the student to focus on NCERT for their studies. She shared her own experience of attending a government school and highlighted the challenges her family faced in securing a private seat. With a score of 380 marks and the benefit of reservation, she emphasized how crucial it is for individuals to capitalize on reservation opportunities, as it could secure admission into government colleges.
Another student observed that the NEET exam has leveled the playing field for government school students aspiring to become doctors, “Because of the NEET government school students could become doctors or else only private school (students) were becoming doctors because it was based on the marks, withe the help of NEET many government schools students are entering this is happier development”
நீட் தேர்வு ரத்து என்ற ஒரு பொய்யை சொல்லி ஆட்சிக்கு வந்த திமுகவிற்கு இன்று தேர்வு எழுதி விட்டு வந்த மாணவி கொடுக்கும் செருப்படி பதில்கள்.
அரசு பள்ளியில் படித்து முதல் முயற்சி தோல்வியுற்று, வீட்டிலிருந்து படித்து, இப்போது இரண்டாவது முறை தேர்வு எழுத வந்திருக்கும் மாணவியை மனதார… pic.twitter.com/wNVoMsYwz0— Abitha (@Abitha96960262) May 5, 2024
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