Context:
Recently, The Supreme Court refused to stay the counselling for admissions of students to medical colleges over alleged paper leak and irregularities in the National Eligibility cum Entrance Test (NEET) undergraduate (UG) examination 2024.
Relevance:
Facts for Prelims
About National Testing Agency (NTA):
- Establishment: The NTA was established in 2017 by the Ministry of Education. It serves as a premier, specialist, autonomous, and self-sustained testing organization.
- Purpose: To conduct entrance examinations for admission or fellowship in higher educational institutions.
Functions:
- Conducting Exams: Administering entrance examinations for higher educational institutions.
- Creating Question Banks: Developing a question bank using modern techniques.
- Research and Development: Establishing a strong research and development culture.
- Collaborations: Working with international organizations like ETS (Educational Testing Services).
- Other Exams: Undertaking any other examination entrusted by the Ministries or Departments of Government of India/State Governments.
NEET (National Eligibility cum Entrance Test):
- Purpose: NEET is an entrance examination for students aspiring to pursue undergraduate medical courses (MBBS/BDS) and postgraduate courses (MD/MS) in government or private medical colleges.
- Objective: To standardize the admission process for medical and dental courses across India, ensuring a uniform evaluation of candidates’ eligibility.
- Conducted by: The NTA conducts NEET on behalf of the Ministry of Education.
-Source: Indian Express
