Apropos to the NEET controversy, I suggest that from next academic year, the country may be divided into 5 zones -- North, South, East, West and Central.
Separate tests must be conducted at the National and Zonal levels. Students must be advised to appear for both tests. The question paper for the zonal test must be set by teachers of each zone separately. Fifty per cent of seats in all colleges in India,(except private medical colleges) must be reserved for students appearing for the National Test. The other 50% must be reserved for students appearing for Zonal Test.
Zonal students may opt for colleges within their zones.
This will bring about sanity in the testing system and meet with the aspirations of students from all States.
This system will also provide a level playing field for all, as some States are very small and have only one medical college like Goa or no medical college, like Nagaland.
Such students will have more options at the zonal level. Lastly, students appearing for the zonal test will feel 'at home', with the question paper and the college allotted.
