Parliamentary panel reviews NEET-UG conduct, seeks report on NTA reforms

A parliamentary panel on Thursday discussed the functioning of regulatory institutions under the Health Ministry in connection with the conduct of the NEET-UG examination by the National Testing Agency (NTA). Representatives of the NTA and domain experts made presentations before the Parliamentary Standing Committee on Health and Family Welfare, headed by Samajwadi Party MP Ram Gopal Yadav.

During the meeting, the panel also took up the affordability and accessibility of healthcare facilities in the public and private sectors. The committee heard views on the conduct of the NEET-UG exam, suggested steps to improve the functioning of the NTA, and asked the authorities concerned to submit a written report as well, sources said.

The issue of the organisational structure, mandate and functional proficiency of regulatory institutions under the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare was discussed, along with the conduct of NEET examinations under the NMC Act, 2019. Experts and NTA officials gave their views in detail. A PowerPoint presentation on "One Nation - One Entrance Test" and SmartInsta Test-AI (SITAI) was also made during the meeting by Balaveera Reddy, former chairman of the Board of Governors, National Institute of Technology Karnataka, Surathkal, and former vice chancellor of Visvesvaraya Technological University, Karnataka.

The panel also heard oral evidence from the secretary of the National Pharmaceutical Pricing Authority, the chairpersons of the Quality Council of India and the National Accreditation Board for Hospitals, as well as the Drugs Controller General of India, Central Drugs Standard Control Organisation, on the issue of "Affordability and Accessibility of Healthcare Facilities in Public and Private Sector".

The NEET row has already been discussed by two other parliamentary panels, which summoned top officials of the Health and Higher Education ministries, along with officials of the NTA, the National Medical Commission and the CBI, which is probing the NEET paper leak case. The Parliamentary Committee on Education, Women, Children, Youth and Sports and the Parliamentary Committee on Government Assurances have already held discussions on the matter, making the health panel the third committee to examine the issue.

Parliamentary panels have already summoned Higher Education Secretary Vineet Joshi, NTA Director General Abhishek Singh and the NMC chairperson, and discussed ways to strengthen the NTA to help prevent paper leaks in the medical entrance examination. The NEET-UG exam, originally held on May 3, was cancelled by the government following allegations of a paper leak and was conducted again on June 21.

In sum, the health panel reviewed both the NEET-UG issue and the wider functioning of health sector regulatory bodies, heard presentations and evidence from officials and experts, and sought a written report from the authorities concerned.

A parliamentary panel on Thursday discussed the functioning of regulatory institutions under the Health Ministry in connection with the conduct of the NEET-UG examination by the National Testing Agency (NTA). Representatives of the NTA and domain experts made presentations before the Parliamentary Standing Committee on Health and Family Welfare, headed by Samajwadi Party MP Ram Gopal Yadav.

During the meeting, the panel also took up the affordability and accessibility of healthcare facilities in the public and private sectors. The committee heard views on the conduct of the NEET-UG exam, suggested steps to improve the functioning of the NTA, and asked the authorities concerned to submit a written report as well, sources said.

The issue of the organisational structure, mandate and functional proficiency of regulatory institutions under the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare was discussed, along with the conduct of NEET examinations under the NMC Act, 2019. Experts and NTA officials gave their views in detail. A PowerPoint presentation on "One Nation - One Entrance Test" and SmartInsta Test-AI (SITAI) was also made during the meeting by Balaveera Reddy, former chairman of the Board of Governors, National Institute of Technology Karnataka, Surathkal, and former vice chancellor of Visvesvaraya Technological University, Karnataka.

The panel also heard oral evidence from the secretary of the National Pharmaceutical Pricing Authority, the chairpersons of the Quality Council of India and the National Accreditation Board for Hospitals, as well as the Drugs Controller General of India, Central Drugs Standard Control Organisation, on the issue of "Affordability and Accessibility of Healthcare Facilities in Public and Private Sector".

The NEET row has already been discussed by two other parliamentary panels, which summoned top officials of the Health and Higher Education ministries, along with officials of the NTA, the National Medical Commission and the CBI, which is probing the NEET paper leak case. The Parliamentary Committee on Education, Women, Children, Youth and Sports and the Parliamentary Committee on Government Assurances have already held discussions on the matter, making the health panel the third committee to examine the issue.

Parliamentary panels have already summoned Higher Education Secretary Vineet Joshi, NTA Director General Abhishek Singh and the NMC chairperson, and discussed ways to strengthen the NTA to help prevent paper leaks in the medical entrance examination. The NEET-UG exam, originally held on May 3, was cancelled by the government following allegations of a paper leak and was conducted again on June 21.

In sum, the health panel reviewed both the NEET-UG issue and the wider functioning of health sector regulatory bodies, heard presentations and evidence from officials and experts, and sought a written report from the authorities concerned.