Chennai, July 28 (IANS) DMK MP Dayanidhi Maran on Tuesday strongly opposed the Public Examinations (Prevention of Unfair Means) Amendment Bill, 2026, in the Lok Sabha, contending that the proposed legislation failed to address the larger issue of the National Eligibility-cum-Entrance Test (NEET), which his party has consistently demanded be abolished.
Initiating the DMK’s attack during the debate on the Bill, Maran argued that the Centre was attempting to tackle only the consequences of examination irregularities while ignoring what he described as the inherent flaws in the NEET system.
He said the focus should be on scrapping the examination rather than merely strengthening laws against paper leaks.
Maran asserted that NEET had created an unequal playing field for students from rural areas, government schools, and economically weaker sections, forcing many to rely on expensive coaching centres to remain competitive.
He said the examination had deprived deserving students of opportunities despite their academic performance in school.
Referring to student suicides allegedly linked to competitive examinations, Maran claimed that 107 students across the country had died by suicide in connection with such exams, including 93 linked to NEET.
He also claimed that Tamil Nadu alone had recorded 26 NEET-related student suicides, arguing that the examination had imposed unbearable pressure on aspiring medical students.
The Union Government, however, defended the Amendment Bill, saying it aimed to safeguard the integrity of public examinations.
The proposed legislation seeks to introduce stricter measures against paper leaks and other examination malpractices, including the establishment of a Special Task Force, time-bound investigations, and Special Fast Track Courts for speedy disposal of such cases.
The debate witnessed sharp exchanges between the Treasury and Opposition benches, with several members raising concerns over examination integrity, recurring paper leak incidents, and the future of NEET.
Also, the DMK continued to press its demand for the complete abolition of the medical entrance test.
–IANS
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