Tamil Nadu Chief Minister C. Joseph Vijay has urged the Union Government to abolish the National Eligibility cum Entrance Test (NEET) for medical admissions. The Chief Minister, leading the Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam (TVK) party, called for a return to using Class 12 board marks for state-managed medical college seats. This announcement follows a confidence motion vote in the state assembly.
Calls to Scrap NEET
CM Vijay stated that the recent cancellation of the NEET exam, scheduled for May 3, 2026, due to paper leaks demonstrates systemic flaws. He argued that the current entrance exam disadvantages students from rural backgrounds, government schools, and those educated in Tamil medium. These students often lack access to expensive private coaching centers required for NEET preparation.
Arguments Against NEET
The Chief Minister's stance highlights two core issues with the National Testing Agency's (NTA) current examination system:
- Systemic Problems: The cancellation of the May 3 exam, involving widespread cheating and arrests by the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI), indicates fundamental issues with central testing. Repeated incidents would confirm these flaws.
- Socio-Economic Disparities: Students from rural areas, government schools, and Tamil-speaking backgrounds are at a disadvantage. They cannot afford the costly corporate coaching courses that often prepare students for NEET.
Proposed Constitutional Amendment
The TVK government plans to seek a constitutional amendment. This proposal, termed the 'Special Concurrent List,' would grant states full control over admissions to state-sponsored medical seats. National institutions like AIIMS would remain under the Union Government's purview. This aims to restore admissions autonomy to individual states.
