Tamil Nadu Chief Minister C. Joseph Vijay declared strong opposition to the National Eligibility-cum-Entrance Test (NEET). He reaffirmed the state's commitment to the two-language policy in his first major Assembly speech on June 23, 2026 . Vijay addressed the Tamil Nadu Legislative Assembly for nearly an hour. He focused on education and social justice. The Chief Minister stated NEET creates educational inequality. He argued it disadvantages students from rural and economically weaker backgrounds.
NEET Declared a Source of Inequality
Vijay asserted NEET has negatively impacted students from marginalized communities. He said it erects barriers to medical education. The Chief Minister reiterated his government's aim to find relief from the centralized entrance exam system. He advocated for a more inclusive admission process. Tamil Nadu has long opposed NEET. The state argues school performance should determine medical course admissions. Vijay previously proposed basing MBBS admissions on Class 12 marks. He made this proposal at a NITI Aayog Governing Council meeting.
Two-Language Policy Reaffirmed
The Chief Minister also supported Tamil Nadu's two-language policy. This policy emphasizes the teaching of Tamil and English. Vijay rejected the three-language formula proposed by the National Education Policy (NEP). He stated Tamil Nadu will continue its established linguistic framework. The two-language policy has been central to Tamil Nadu's education model for decades. It connects to the state's cultural and linguistic identity.
First Major Assembly Address
Vijay's speech was his first comprehensive address since becoming Chief Minister. This followed the 2026 Tamil Nadu Assembly elections . He responded to criticism of his party. He highlighted the government's focus on governance, transparency, and state rights. The speech signals the new government's policy direction. Education reform and linguistic identity are key priorities.
