Tamil Nadu Assembly Calls for Abolition of NEET in Medical Admissions

The Tamil Nadu Assembly has taken a pivotal step by unanimously passing a resolution aimed at urging the central government to abolish the National Eligibility-cum-Entrance Test (NEET) for undergraduate medical admissions. This move emphasizes the state’s desire to allow medical institution admissions based solely on students’ Class 12 examination scores.

Currently, NEET is a requisite for students aspiring to pursue undergraduate medical courses across India. The resolution was championed by Health Minister KG Arunraj, who called on the Union government to amend various national legislations, including the National Medical Commission Act of 2019 and the National Commission for Indian System of Medicine Act of 2020. These amendments would facilitate a more equitable admission process that aligns with Tamil Nadu’s educational standards.

Despite the unanimous support from the assembly, M Bhojarajan, the sole Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) legislator, expressed dissent and exited the proceedings prior to the voting. The resolution has reiterated Tamil Nadu’s long-standing objections to NEET, citing issues of social justice, equality, and the rights of states within a federal framework. Furthermore, it highlighted the persistent issues of question-paper leakages and various irregularities, which have eroded public confidence in the integrity of the examination.

The resolution also addressed the significant emotional toll that NEET-related controversies have had on students, referencing the cancellation of the 2026 undergraduate medical admission exam and the subsequent need for a re-examination. These incidents have reportedly caused “untold mental agony” to numerous students and, tragically, have contributed to the loss of young lives. The assembly’s resolution poignantly stated, “The examination has forfeited the trust of the students of this country,” underscoring the urgent need for a reform in the current admission practices.

This resolution arrives amidst a broader anti-NEET movement within the state, which has sparked significant public discourse about the fairness and transparency of medical admissions in India. Advocates for the abolition of NEET argue that it disproportionately disadvantages students from rural and economically weaker backgrounds, who may not have access to adequate coaching resources. As the debate continues, the Tamil Nadu government’s call for abolition reflects a growing sentiment among various stakeholders that the current system requires a thorough reassessment to better serve the interests of students across the country.

Source: scroll.in