Karnataka Urges Centre to Dissolve NEET UG from 2026, Seeks Return of State-Led CET

In a major policy move, the Karnataka government has reiterated its demand for the dissolution of the National Eligibility cum Entrance Test, NEET UG, beginning in 2026. State Education Minister Sharan Prakash Patil addressed the media, labelling the current national examination system a grave injustice to aspirants and calling for the restoration of state powers to manage professional seat allotments.

A Request for Karnataka’s CET Model, Restoring State Authority

State Education Minister Sharan Prakash Patil has reasoned that Karnataka’s long-standing Common Entrance Test (CET) model is better in terms of transparency and efficiency as compared to the centralised NEET Framework, highlighting the recent paper leak scandal and allegations of organised cheating rackets. The state government expressed a lack of confidence in the National Testing Agency, NTA.

The minister also stated that the NEET experience over the past several years has raised serious concerns regarding accountability. He also emphasised that the state’s CET system historically protected the interests of rural and economically weaker sections of the students, offering a fair platform on consistent academic performance rather than a single-day high-stakes test prone to manipulation.

The Karnataka government has officially written to the Union Government, requesting permission to conduct medical admissions through the Karnataka Examinations Authority, KEA. By dissolving NEET, the state hopes to rebuild public confidence and ensure that the medical seats are awarded through a corruption-free, merit-oriented process. The state maintains that a return to the system where states control their own entrance exams is important to maintaining the integrity of India’s healthcare education sector.