CHENNAI — Escalating the state’s long-standing opposition to the national medical entrance exam, Tamil Nadu Chief Minister Vijay has urged the Central Government to permanently abolish NEET. In a strongly worded statement, he advocated for returning to a system where medical admissions are based on Class 12 marks.
“Conclusive Proof of Structural Flaws”
The Chief Minister’s demand comes in the wake of the latest NEET-UG 2026 paper leak, which led to the cancellation of the exam.
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A Pattern of Failure: Vijay pointed out that despite the 2024 leaks and the subsequent 95 recommendations for reform by the Dr. K. Radhakrishnan Committee, the system has failed again within just two years.
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The Critique: He described these recurring compromises as “conclusive proof” of deep structural flaws within the national-level examination framework.
Impact on Underprivileged Students
Reiterating the state’s historical stance, the Chief Minister emphasized that NEET disproportionately affects students from specific backgrounds:
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Rural & Vernacular Disadvantage: The exam is seen to favor affluent, urban students while excluding bright candidates from rural areas and Tamil-medium government schools.
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Socio-Economic Barriers: Vijay argued that the current system marginalizes students from socio-economically disadvantaged families who cannot afford specialized coaching.
Restoring State Autonomy
The Tamil Nadu government is pushing for the authority to fill seats in MBBS, BDS, and AYUSH courses under the state quota using higher secondary results. This method, which was in place during the UPA era following an exemption granted by President APJ Abdul Kalam, is viewed by the state as a fairer way to reward consistent academic performance.
The demand adds significant political weight to the ongoing legal battle, as the state has already approached the Supreme Court challenging the withholding of assent to its NEET Exemption Bill.
