AIDSO stages protest against irregularities in NEET examination

Activists and students associated with the All India Democratic Students Organisation (AIDSO) staged a protest in Kalaburagi on Thursday demanding action against the National Testing Agency (NTA) over irregularities and question paper leaks in the NEET-UG examination.

Speaking at the agitation site, AIDSO district council vice-president Govind Yalwar said that repeated question paper leaks in the NEET-UG examination have shattered the dreams of thousands of students aspiring for medical education.

He said that many students spend years preparing for the examination by investing substantial amounts of money and dedicating themselves day and night to the cause.

“NEET-UG question papers have leaked twice in the last three years. This has dealt a severe blow to the aspirations of poor students. The NTA has become a puppet in the hands of large coaching mafias that is encouraging a huge racket,” he said.

Preeti Doddamani, who is also a district council vice-president of AIDSO, accused the NTA of “auctioning medical seats to the highest bidders” and undermining the public education system for the benefit of a few.

She said that corruption and administrative negligence are destroying the future of students. She said that such issues are recurring in several centralised examinations because education has been turned into a market-driven system.

Demanding strict action against the NTA, the protesters urged the government to take immediate corrective measures. They also warned of a larger agitation if appropriate action is not initiated.

AIDSO district secretary Venkatesh Devadurga, district treasurer Spoorthi Gurajalakar, district committee member Yuvaraj Rathod and several students from Kalaburagi participated in the protest.