Stories
70-year-olds taking NEET UG, Parliamentary Committee recommends setting age limit.
- •A parliamentary committee has recommended setting an upper age and attempt limit for NEET UG as candidates over 70 are currently appearing for the medical entrance exam.
- •The panel, headed by Rajya Sabha MP Mukul Wasnik, noted that unlimited attempts and lack of age restriction are negatively impacting the competition for medical seats.
- •The committee advised the Ministry of Education and Ministry of Health to implement strict rules similar to JEE Advanced to ensure a level playing field for young aspirants.
- •To curb malpractices, the panel suggested shifting from pen-paper to computer-based testing, establishing centers only in government institutions, and creating a question bank.
Key Questions Answered
A high-level parliamentary committee recommended to the central government that fixed age and attempt limits for the NEET UG exam should be implemented immediately to ensure equal opportunities and address intense competition for medical seats.
Due to the absence of an upper age limit and restrictions on the number of attempts, candidates aged over 70 and elderly examinees have been participating in the NEET UG exam, often getting caught in legal tangles.
The parliamentary committee suggested shifting from pen-and-paper OMR sheets to Computer-Based Testing (CBT), setting up exam centers exclusively in government institutions, establishing a center in every district, creating a large question bank, and introducing a legislative law for the NTA.
