New Delhi, June 1: The United Doctors Front (UDF) on Monday expressed disappointment after its representatives were allegedly denied an opportunity to participate in the proceedings of the Department-related Parliamentary Standing Committee on Education, Women, Children, Youth and Sports despite receiving a formal invitation from the panel.
According to the organisation, a UDF delegation reached Parliament to present the concerns of young doctors, medical students and NEET aspirants regarding examination reforms and the functioning of the National Testing Agency (NTA).
The delegation had also submitted its detailed representation and supporting documents to the committee in advance.
The presentation focused on the "Use of Pen-and-Paper Testing vs CBT" and reforms related to NEET and the National Testing Agency (NTA).
UDF said it had compiled extensive recommendations on examination reforms, transparency and student welfare in response to the Committee's invitation, but its representatives were ultimately not allowed to participate in the proceedings.
However, despite receiving an official invitation, the organization claims its representatives were denied an opportunity to present their views before the panel.
However, upon arrival, the delegation was informed that it would not be permitted to participate in the proceedings. UDF claimed that during a separate interaction, the committee chairman expressed his inability to facilitate the organisation's participation due to opposition from a majority of committee members.
The chairman, however, accepted the memorandum and assured the delegation that its submissions would be placed on record.
UDF Chairperson Dr. Lakshya Mittal termed the development unfortunate, saying organisations representing lakhs of medical aspirants and healthcare professionals should be heard on issues concerning one of the country's most important national examinations.
In its memorandum, UDF called for the creation of a new statutory national examination authority through an Act of Parliament to replace the existing NTA framework.
The organisation argued that such a body would ensure greater transparency, accountability and public trust in the examination system.
The doctors' body also sought a comprehensive probe into concerns surrounding NEET-UG 2026 and unresolved issues linked to NEET-UG 2024, including alleged paper leaks, examination security lapses, centre allotment patterns, the grace marks controversy and the role of agencies and vendors involved in conducting the test.
Additionally, UDF requested authorities to examine the legality of the NTA's use of the National Emblem under applicable laws.
The organisation maintained that recurring controversies surrounding NEET have severely eroded the confidence of students and parents and reiterated the need for a transparent, independent and time-bound review of the examination system.
UDF thanked the Parliamentary Standing Committee chairman for meeting the delegation and accepting its representation, while expressing hope that its recommendations would be objectively examined in the interest of students, medical education and the credibility of India's examination framework.
