Anti-NEET Bill | President withholds Assent

Anti NEET Bill Latest News

President has withheld assent to Tamil Nadu’s Bill seeking exemption from the mandate of NEET-based admissions for undergraduate medical courses in government medical colleges. 

About Anti NEET Bill 

• In September 2021, the Tamil Nadu Assembly passed the Tamil Nadu Admission to Undergraduate Medical Degree Courses Bill, 2021, commonly referred to as the Anti-NEET Bill. 
• This legislation seeks to exempt the state from the National Eligibility cum Entrance Test (NEET) for medical admissions, advocating for the selection process to be based on Class 12 examination marks. 
• It was introduced following concerns that NEET disproportionately affects students from disadvantaged backgrounds.
• Since its passage, the bill has been awaiting the President’s approval, however, it has been withheld assent based on the recommendations of the Union government.

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Veto Power of President over State Legislation

• Article 200 & 201: State bills require the President’s assent to become law.
• Governor’s Role: The state Governor reviews the bill and sends it to the President.
• Presidential Assent: The President can:
  • Grant assent (bill becomes law).
  • Withhold assent (bill may be reconsidered).
  • Reserve the bill for further consideration.
• Bills Needing Presidential Assent:
  • Bills affecting national policies or conflicting with Union laws.
  • Bills on Concurrent List topics, like medical education (e.g., Anti-NEET Bill in Tamil Nadu).
• Money Bills: Do not need presidential assent.

Anti-NEET Bill FAQs

Q1. What is the NEET bill controversy? 

Ans. The NEET bill controversy centers on states opposing the National Eligibility cum Entrance Test, advocating for state-level medical entrance exams to preserve regional autonomy.

Q2. Which states oppose NEET? 

Ans. States like Tamil Nadu, West Bengal, and Karnataka oppose NEET, favoring state-specific medical entrance exams to protect local educational interests.

Source: TH