Bengaluru, 13 June

As NEET 2024 results have sparked a row across the country, students from the lower strata of society have largely been affected by it. Out of 15 students across states who spoke to Salar News, 13 from economically backward communities said the exam results this time dashed their hopes of studying in premier institutes.

Over 24 lakh candidates appeared for National Eligibility cum Entrance Test (NEET) for admission to undergraduate courses in medical, dental, and AYUSH in government and private colleges. NEET 2024 has been plagued by allegations of inflation of marks and paper leaks.

Medical colleges in the country increased cut-off marks after 67 students achieved a perfect score of 720/720. The students who didn’t make the cut have to either settle in lower-tier colleges or take another chance next year. But those from financially weaker sections of society neither can afford another chance at NEET to realise their dream of studying in government colleges nor study in private colleges which charge exorbitant fees.

When NEET exam results came out on the day of counting for Lok Sabha elections,  17-year-old Parakar (name changed), from Handi Jogi community (a subgroup among the Scheduled Castes in Mysuru), was devastated. "When I was checking the answers with my uncle after the exam, I had a score of 425 out of 750, which was enough to get into my District Medical College. With the cut-off score increased, my hopes of studying there have been shattered," he told Salar News.

Another student from Gadag, who has attempted NEET three times, scored 500/720 this time. “I still cannot get a seat at the medical college in my district. Now, I have to wait another year to try again, and I have no choice but to help my father with farming," he said.

The fee structure for MBBS in government colleges ranges from Rs 6,000 to 13,000, while in private institutes, it costs nearly Rs 20 to 26 lakh. Rashmi (name changed) from Nanded, Maharashtra, said the authorities cancelled the grace marks for 1,563 students, but nobody knows how this will impact the ranking system.

Another student from Nanded, Yashraj Devrao Kadam, 17, said he scored 600/750 and it was a good score for getting into a medical college. “I didn’t get admission and now, I'm trying to get into semi-government colleges.”

Coaching centres across the country have received numerous calls from worried parents asking about their children's future. A counsellor from one of the top NEET coaching centres in the City said, “Some parents are staying supportive, encouraging their children to try again, while others are completely shattered due to financial constraints." 

An educationist from Bengaluru said admissions this time may be delayed due to the controversy. Karthik Krishan B, Principal of Surana College, Peenya campus, told Salar News, "This year, students from rural villages have been put to a disadvantage by the results." An official from Karnataka Department of Higher Education and Karnataka Examinations Authority told Salar News, “Once we start counselling, we can determine how many people are affected.”

After NEET was introduced replacing State-level exams in the country, unhealthy competition emerged among aspirants. Dr Mahabeleshwar Rao, an educationist from Udupi, said, “We have created an education system where we are installing anti-suicide ceiling fans in hostel rooms, and not having a latch on the door to prevent suicide. Nobody is bothering to correct the education system.” —Salar News

Rise in suicides

In 2022, over 13,000 NEET students in India died by suicide in Maharashtra (378), Madhya Pradesh (277), and Jharkhand (174) reporting the highest numbers. In 2024, six people died by suicide due to the stress related to the NEET exam. —Salar News