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Confederation for the Student’s Educational Rights (CSER), Pollachi, on Thursday led a demonstration in the town demanding withdrawal of Viksit Bharat Shiksha Adhisthan (VBSA) Bill 2025, National Eligibility cum Entrance Test (NEET) and Common University Entrance Test (CUET).

Demanding restoration of Medical UG admission based on higher secondary scores, the CSER also called for withdrawal of recently introduced OSM (On-Screen Marking) for Plus Two exams under CBSE (Central Board of Secondary Education) system; restoration of the physical evaluation by teachers, and withdrawal of three language formula imposed for the CBSE Schools from class 9 to 12.

Over the last decade, NEET has neither been able to curb commercialisation of education nor ensure merit, and hence, has to be withdrawn. Admission to all UG degree programmes should be based on higher/senior secondary scores, P.B. Prince Gajendra Babu, general secretary, State Platform for Common School System - Tamil Nadu, who took part in the protest, emphasised.

OSM, he alleged, had been introduced for administrative convenience to complete evaluation in a short duration, and was not the proper method for correction of answer sheets.

Three languages under CBSE system were unnecessary, as it perpetuated stress on the students. Mandating learning of Sanskrit for students amounted to cultural imposition.

Reiterating that only the nomenclature of the Higher Education Commission of India Bill that the Centre had attempted in vain to introduce during 2018 had been changed to VBSA Bill 2025, he said it would impede the vision of the Constitution of India for equitable access to education for all.

State universities are established by an Act of the respective State legislature, in accordance with the provision of Entry 32 of List II in the Seventh Schedule, under Article 246 of the Constitution of India, he said, pointing out that the statement of the objects and reasons pertaining to VBSA Bill 2025 does not mention the provision of the Constitution of India under which it was drafted.