Tamil Nadu Assembly passes resolution urging Centre to scrap NEET

Chennai: The Tamil Nadu Assembly on Tuesday passed a resolution urging the Centre to abolish the National Eligibility-cum-Entrance Test (NEET) for undergraduate medical admissions in the state, with the DMK, AIADMK, Congress, PMK, DMDK, Left parties and other smaller parties backing the move.

The BJP's lone MLA in the Assembly, M Bhojarajan, opposed the resolution and staged a walkout, saying NEET provides students with an opportunity to pursue medical education.

Health Minister K Arunraj moved the resolution, arguing that NEET goes against social justice, equality and the rights of states in medical education.

Tamil Nadu seeks Class 12-based medical admissions

The resolution calls for amendments to relevant Central laws to discontinue the uniform NEET system for undergraduate medical admissions in Tamil Nadu.

The state government has maintained that NEET disproportionately affects students from rural and economically disadvantaged backgrounds, particularly those studying in Tamil-medium schools. It has also criticised the growing dependence on expensive coaching centres and the pressure created by a single entrance examination after 12 years of schooling.

Tamil Nadu has proposed that admission to undergraduate medical courses instead be based on students' Class 12 examination marks.

During the debate, Bhojarajan argued that NEET offers students an opportunity and hope for a better future.

"NEET is an encouragement for the people of Tamil Nadu. There is hope that the future will be better," he said.

Citing Pollachi as an example, the BJP MLA said 10 students from the same school had cleared NEET.

He questioned why the state government was seeking to abolish the examination instead of expanding access to coaching for students.

"Why is the state government not seriously considering conducting coaching classes? Why are you thinking with an inferiority complex?" he asked.

Bhojarajan said the government should ensure that students do not have to depend on wealthy private individuals or expensive coaching centres for NEET preparation.

"We don't want a situation where only wealthy private individuals provide coaching. The state government should come forward to provide a special scheme for students," he said.

He later announced that he would not participate in the voting on the resolution and walked out of the Assembly.

AIADMK backs resolution against NEET

The AIADMK supported the resolution, with party MLA O S Manian reiterating its opposition to NEET.

"AIADMK remains firm in its anti-NEET policy," Manian said.

DMK MLA Muthuraja also said the party supported the resolution.

The backing from the DMK and AIADMK comes amid a long-running political debate in Tamil Nadu over NEET and the state's demand for greater autonomy in determining medical admissions.

The Tamil Nadu Assembly had earlier unanimously passed the Tamil Nadu Admission to Undergraduate Medical Degree Courses Bill, 2021, seeking exemption from NEET. The state government has repeatedly urged the Centre to approve the legislation.

NEET remains a politically contentious issue in Tamil Nadu, with the state government arguing that the examination affects social justice and access to medical education. Opponents of the state's position have instead called for better coaching and support mechanisms for students rather than scrapping the common entrance examination.