Karnataka won't wait for NEET results, starts CET seat allotment process now
Karnataka has decided to begin CET counselling and engineering seat allotment without waiting for NEET results amid the ongoing paper leak controversy. The move comes as political attacks over the exam intensify, with the state government demanding a return to the pre-NEET admission system for medical courses.
As outrage over the NEET paper leak controversy continues to grow, Karnataka has decided not to wait for NEET results to begin counselling and seat allotment for engineering and other professional courses.
The state government announced that Common Entrance Test (CET) counselling will proceed separately this year, breaking from the recent practice of conducting counselling for medical and non-medical courses together.
Higher Education Minister Dr. MC Sudhakar said the decision was taken to protect students from uncertainty caused by the delay surrounding NEET.
“Keeping the interests of students in mind, we'll go ahead with counselling for engineering and other courses,” Sudhakar said during a Youth Congress protest in Bengaluru.
CET results are expected to be declared next week.
WHY THIS MOVE MATTERS FOR STUDENTS
Since 2023, Karnataka had conducted counselling for engineering, medical, and other professional courses together because many students appeared for both CET and NEET.
This allowed students to compare ranks and choose between engineering and medical seats during the same admission cycle.
But with NEET facing massive controversy after the alleged paper leak and eventual cancellation, Karnataka has now chosen to delink the process entirely for non-medical courses.
For thousands of students waiting for engineering admissions, this could speed up seat allotment and reduce uncertainty.
KARNATAKA REVIVES PRE-NEET DEBATE
The announcement also reignited the political battle around NEET itself.
Chief Minister Siddaramaiah claimed paper leaks had surfaced repeatedly over the years and accused the Centre of damaging the federal structure by centralising medical admissions.
Before NEET was introduced in 2016, states conducted their own entrance exams for medical admissions. Karnataka leaders argued the older system caused fewer large-scale disruptions and reduced dependence on coaching centres.
Congress leader Randeep Singh Surjewala also attacked the BJP-led central government, alleging that the country’s examination system had been “handed over to an education mafia and paper leak mafia”.
He even coined the phrase “Paper Leak Pe Charcha”, taking a swipe at the Prime Minister’s “Pariksha Pe Charcha” programme.
Meanwhile, protests over the NEET controversy intensified in Bengaluru, with police detaining demonstrators after barricades were breached during the march.
As outrage over the NEET paper leak controversy continues to grow, Karnataka has decided not to wait for NEET results to begin counselling and seat allotment for engineering and other professional courses.
The state government announced that Common Entrance Test (CET) counselling will proceed separately this year, breaking from the recent practice of conducting counselling for medical and non-medical courses together.
Higher Education Minister Dr. MC Sudhakar said the decision was taken to protect students from uncertainty caused by the delay surrounding NEET.
“Keeping the interests of students in mind, we'll go ahead with counselling for engineering and other courses,” Sudhakar said during a Youth Congress protest in Bengaluru.
CET results are expected to be declared next week.
WHY THIS MOVE MATTERS FOR STUDENTS
Since 2023, Karnataka had conducted counselling for engineering, medical, and other professional courses together because many students appeared for both CET and NEET.
This allowed students to compare ranks and choose between engineering and medical seats during the same admission cycle.
But with NEET facing massive controversy after the alleged paper leak and eventual cancellation, Karnataka has now chosen to delink the process entirely for non-medical courses.
For thousands of students waiting for engineering admissions, this could speed up seat allotment and reduce uncertainty.
KARNATAKA REVIVES PRE-NEET DEBATE
The announcement also reignited the political battle around NEET itself.
Chief Minister Siddaramaiah claimed paper leaks had surfaced repeatedly over the years and accused the Centre of damaging the federal structure by centralising medical admissions.
Before NEET was introduced in 2016, states conducted their own entrance exams for medical admissions. Karnataka leaders argued the older system caused fewer large-scale disruptions and reduced dependence on coaching centres.
Congress leader Randeep Singh Surjewala also attacked the BJP-led central government, alleging that the country’s examination system had been “handed over to an education mafia and paper leak mafia”.
He even coined the phrase “Paper Leak Pe Charcha”, taking a swipe at the Prime Minister’s “Pariksha Pe Charcha” programme.
Meanwhile, protests over the NEET controversy intensified in Bengaluru, with police detaining demonstrators after barricades were breached during the march.
