Backing exam bill, TDP & Shiv Sena seek multiple NEET attempts a year

New Delhi: Key NDA allies Telugu Desam Party (TDP) and Shiv Sena on Tuesday pitched for holding the NEET-UG examination multiple times a year instead of just once, arguing that the current system unfairly penalises students who miss the exam due to medical or family emergencies.

Participating in the Lok Sabha debate on the Public Examination (Prevention of Unfair Means) Amendment Bill, 2026, TDP MP Lavu Sri Krishna Devarayalu urged the government to overhaul the examination system, saying candidates currently get only one chance annually.

"Even if a close family member dies on the day of the examination, the student has no option but to appear for it. I request the government to conduct the exam multiple times a year," he said.


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Backing the Bill, Devarayalu said the Centre had acted swiftly after the NEET paper leak by ordering a re-examination, declaring results in record time and constituting the Nandan Nilekani-led high-level task force to recommend reforms.

He also called for a national coaching regulation framework, warning that the coaching industry, currently estimated at ₹50,000 crore, could double to ₹1 lakh crore in the coming years.

"Education is not for profit. The government should regulate coaching centres in a serious manner," he said, while also advocating the creation of a national question bank to strengthen the examination system.

Shiv Sena MP Shrikant Shinde echoed the demand, saying India should move towards the global practice of conducting entrance examinations multiple times a year.

"Why should the examination be held only once a year? In many countries, students get multiple opportunities. Such a system would reduce pressure on students," the Kalyan MP said.

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Supporting stricter regulation of coaching institutes, Shinde said many centres charge exorbitant fees, placing a heavy financial burden on families.

Targeting the Opposition during the debate, Shinde alleged it was suffering from "MIA" (missing in action), "FOMO" (fear of missing out) and "delulu" (delusion), referring to its protest outside the Prime Minister's residence over the NEET issue.