Doctors' body alleges exclusion from parliamentary panel proceedings on NEET reforms

New Delhi: A doctors' body has expressed disappointment after its representatives were allegedly not allowed to participate in the proceedings of the Department-related Parliamentary Standing Committee on Education, Women, Children, Youth and Sports, despite receiving an official invitation from the Committee.

Representatives from the United Doctors Front (UDF) recently went to Parliament to present the concerns of young doctors, medical students, and healthcare professionals regarding the National Eligibility-Entrance Test (NEET), the National Testing Agency (NTA), and examination reforms.

Although the UDF delegation later presented its views to the Chairman of the Parliamentary Committee and had a constructive one-to-one interaction with him after the proceedings, it alleged that upon arriving at Parliament, its members were made to wait and were subsequently informed that they would not be permitted to participate in the Committee proceedings.

The organisation stated that during a personal interaction, the Chairman of the Parliamentary Standing Committee informed the delegation that he was unable to facilitate UDF's participation due to opposition from a majority of Committee members.

Despite this, the Chairman reportedly met the delegation separately, accepted its representation, and assured that the submissions would be placed on record.

Commenting on the issue, Dr. Lakshya Mittal, Chairperson, United Doctors Front, told Medical Dialogues, "It is unfortunate that an organisation representing the concerns of young doctors and medical aspirants across the country was not given an opportunity to present its views before the Committee despite being formally invited. We respect the Parliamentary process and the authority of the Committee, but stakeholders who represent lakhs of students and healthcare professionals deserve to be heard, especially on matters concerning one of India’s most important national examinations."

UDF further clarified that its concern is not directed against any individual but relates to the broader principle of stakeholder participation in policy discussions affecting medical education and national examinations.

In its representation submitted to the Committee, UDF raised several important issues concerning NEET and the National Testing Agency. The organisation recommended the constitution of a new statutory national examination authority through an Act of Parliament, replacing the existing structure of NTA to ensure greater transparency, accountability, statutory oversight, and public trust.

It also sought a comprehensive investigation into concerns relating to NEET-UG 2026 and unresolved issues arising from NEET-UG 2024, including examination security, paper leak allegations, centre allotment patterns, the grace marks controversy, the role of agencies and vendors, and other matters that continue to affect public confidence in the examination system.

Further, the association requested that competent authorities examine the legality and authorisation relating to the use of the National Emblem by NTA in light of applicable statutory provisions.

The organisation emphasised that repeated controversies surrounding NEET have severely impacted the confidence of medical aspirants and their families and reiterated the need for a transparent, time-bound, and independent review of all institutional lapses and accountability mechanisms.

"We thank the Hon’ble Chairman of the Parliamentary Standing Committee for personally meeting the delegation, receiving our representation, and assuring consideration of the issues raised. We hope that the Committee will objectively examine the recommendations submitted and take appropriate steps in the interest of students, medical education, and the credibility of India’s examination system," the association said. 

Medical Dialogues had earlier reported that Dr Lakshya Mittal, on Monday, had a constructive one-to-one interaction with the Chairman of the Parliamentary Committee. The Chairman gave a hearing to the concerns, suggestions, and recommendations submitted by UDF in its detailed representation.

The NEET UG 2026 exam was conducted on May 3 by the National Testing Agency and was held from 2:00 PM to 5:00 PM in pen-and-paper mode. Over 22.7 lakh aspirants appeared for the examination this year. It took place across 551 cities in India and 14 cities abroad, covering over 5,400 centres.

However, the NTA on May 12, 2026, declared the cancellation of the examination held on May 3 and subsequently announced the re-examination on June 21, 2026.

This came in the backdrop of the probe by the Rajasthan Police Special Operations Group, which reportedly found a “guess paper” containing more than 100 questions similar to those asked in the NEET UG examination. The question paper series under scrutiny has been described as a “guess paper” which reportedly contained around 410 questions. Out of these, nearly 120 questions are alleged to have appeared in the Biology and Chemistry sections of the examination. The investigation found that the leaked papers were circulated through WhatsApp and Telegram groups ahead of the NEET UG 2026 examination.

Due to the alleged controversy, the central government decided to refer the matter to the Central Bureau of Investigation for a comprehensive inquiry into the allegations. Based on the centre's direction, the CBI registered an FIR in the case and has so far arrested 13 people.

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