NEET fear drives fake claims for sports, quota grace marks

MUMBAI: The fear of a national-level entrance exam (NEET) seemingly pushed up the number of bogus applicants seeking additional marks in sports, NCC and other such categories in the medical CET.
This year, when NEET was revived by an SC order, 919 medical aspirants sought 2-8 marks in addition to their CET scores for their participation in sports, NCC and under the freedom fighters’ quota.The number is 2.5 times last year’s. In 2013, when NEET was introduced, 1,610 applicants sought additional marks. Of the 919 students who applied this year, over 100 have claimed to be relatives of freedom fighters, over 600 have sought marks in sports, and over 300 have sought weightage for NCC (students have claimed marks in more than one category). At least 130 students got eight additional marks for participating in multiple sports on the merit list. Rejected candidates are allotted fresh merit lower ranks.
Pravin Shingare, director of Directorate of Medical Education and Research (DMER), said claims of students who do not furnish genuine documents will be rejected. “The final list of applicants who get seats using additional weightage figures less than 200.”
In 2013 (the NEET year), of the 1,610 students who applied, only 126 were allotted seats, of which 50 were for MBBS and the rest for allied health science courses. This year, of 135 students with additional marks who have participated in counselling, only 65 claims are valid.
“Like 2013, this year too medical aspirants in the state have gone through a lot of ups and downs. NEET was revived days before the state’s CET. Students are not only worried about the entrance test difficulty, but also about negative marking. Many must have applied for sports/NCC marks due to the uncertainty over admissions this year and next year,” said a parent.
A group of parents have challenged in HC the validity of additional marks. “Every year the notice is released in April. This year, the circular came after results were out and within 10 days, on the basis of claims, marks have been given,” said a parent. Admission should be only on the basis of merit in CET, parents say. In the court hearing on Tuesday, the DMER submitted their affidavit stating that additional marks given for the last 15 years and that the scrutiny process is stringent. The state counsel even mentioned in court that the state will be advised to scrap additional marks. The matter will be heard next on June 27.