On May 4, 2025, over 22 lakh students in India appeared for NEET, underscoring its status as one of the country’s largest and most high-stakes exams. The surge in aspirants highlights India’s intense focus on medical education and the immense pressure on students, who must clear a single, centralised test to access a limited number of medical seats. However, the numbers mask deeper issues of an education system under strain, an exam process fraught with controversy, and a generation of students facing unprecedented stress.
This Frontline package investigates NEET as more than just a test—it is a symbol of broader structural and ethical crises in Indian education. The National Testing Agency has implemented strict security measures, including biometric checks and mobile jammers at over 5,400 centres. Yet the exam continues to be plagued by allegations of malpractice, including question paper leaks and impersonation scams. The persistence of such issues has fuelled debates about the fairness and transparency of the process.
To understand what the growing backlash against NEET means for India’s medical aspirants, this package brings together a decade-long chronicle of critique and resistance. Read on to find out.