Chennai: Tamil Nadu Chief Minister M.K. Stalin reiterated his demand for the state to be exempted from the National Eligibility-cum-Entrance Test (NEET) for medical college admissions and called for the abolition of the NEET system nationwide.

In a letter to Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Stalin emphasized that professional course admissions should be based on 12th standard marks rather than a separate entrance exam, which he described as an unnecessary additional stress on students.

"We have unanimously passed a Bill in our Legislative Assembly to exempt Tamil Nadu from NEET and to base medical admissions on 12th standard marks. This Bill has been sent for Presidential assent, which is still pending," said Stalin in the letter.

The Chief Minister pointed to recent irregularities during the NEET exam as further validation of the state's opposition. "Many other states have also begun voicing their concerns about the need to abolish this selection process," he added.

In light of these issues, the Tamil Nadu Legislative Assembly passed a unanimous resolution urging the Union Government to approve the Bill exempting Tamil Nadu from NEET and to amend the National Medical Commission Act to eliminate this selection process nationally.

Separately, Stalin addressed letters to the Chief Ministers of Delhi, Himachal Pradesh, Jharkhand, Karnataka, Kerala, Punjab, Telangana, and West Bengal, urging them to pass similar resolutions in their assemblies.

"Given the importance and seriousness of this issue, I request you to consider passing a similar resolution in your state Legislative Assembly to urge the Union Government to abolish NEET exams in the interest of our students," Stalin stated. PTI