Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (DMK) Member of Parliament Dayanidhi Maran on Tuesday, 28 July mounted a sharp offensive in the Lok Sabha against the Public Examinations (Prevention of Unfair Means) Amendment Bill, 2026, arguing that the legislation sidestepped the central problem: the National Eligibility-cum-Entrance Test (NEET), which the DMK has long demanded be scrapped entirely.

DMK's Core Argument Against the Bill

Maran, who led the DMK's charge during the parliamentary debate, contended that the Centre was addressing only the symptoms of examination malpractice while leaving intact what he described as the structurally flawed NEET system. He argued that tightening laws against paper leaks was insufficient as long as NEET itself remained in place.

According to Maran, the medical entrance exam has created a deeply unequal environment for students from rural backgrounds, government schools, and economically weaker sections — groups that are often unable to afford the high-cost coaching infrastructure that NEET effectively demands.

Student Suicides and the Human Cost

Maran cited alarming figures on student suicides allegedly linked to competitive examination pressure. He claimed that 107 students across India had died by suicide in connection with such exams, of whom 93 were reportedly linked specifically to NEET. He further stated that Tamil Nadu alone had recorded 26 such NEET-related deaths, underscoring what he called the unbearable psychological burden the examination places on aspiring medical students.

These figures were presented by Maran during the debate; they have not been independently verified by NationPress.

What the Amendment Bill Proposes

The Union Government defended the Amendment Bill, maintaining that it is designed to protect the integrity of public examinations. The proposed legislation introduces several new mechanisms, including the formation of a Special Task Force, mandates for time-bound investigations into malpractice, and the creation of Special Fast Track Courts for expedited disposal of examination fraud cases.

Government representatives argued that these measures would serve as a robust deterrent against paper leaks and other irregularities that have repeatedly undermined public confidence in national-level examinations.

Sharp Exchanges on the Floor

The debate triggered pointed exchanges between Treasury and Opposition benches, with multiple members raising concerns over recurring paper leak incidents, the broader question of examination integrity, and the future of NEET as a national selection mechanism. The DMK reiterated its position that nothing short of the complete abolition of the medical entrance test would be acceptable to the party.

This comes amid sustained political pressure on the Centre from southern states — particularly Tamil Nadu — where opposition to NEET has been a defining electoral issue for years. With the Amendment Bill now under parliamentary scrutiny, the debate over how India selects its future doctors is set to intensify further.