Tamil Nadu CM C. Joseph Vijay Again Opposes NEET at NITI Aayog Meeting

Tamil Nadu Chief Minister C. Joseph Vijay has once again reiterated the state's strong opposition to the National Eligibility-cum-Entrance Test (NEET) and urged the Union Government to allow medical admissions based on Class 12 board examination marks instead of a centralized entrance examination.

The demand was raised during the 11th Governing Council Meeting of NITI Aayog held in New Delhi, where Chief Ministers and senior government representatives discussed key issues related to education, healthcare, and development.

The renewed appeal reflects Tamil Nadu's long-standing stance against NEET, which the state government has consistently argued places students from rural and economically weaker backgrounds at a disadvantage.

Tamil Nadu Renews Demand for Exemption from NEET

During his address at the NITI Aayog meeting, Chief Minister Vijay requested the Centre to permit Tamil Nadu to fill its state quota seats for MBBS, BDS, and AYUSH courses using Class 12 examination scores rather than NEET rankings.

According to Vijay, the current admission framework creates unequal opportunities because students from affluent urban backgrounds often have better access to specialized coaching institutes and resources required to perform well in the national entrance examination.

He emphasized that many talented students from government schools and rural areas face significant challenges in competing with candidates who receive extensive coaching support.

Concerns Over Rural and Economically Weaker Students

The Tamil Nadu government has repeatedly argued that NEET adversely affects students from:

• Rural regions
• Government schools
• Economically weaker families
• Socially disadvantaged communities

Speaking at the meeting, Vijay stated that admissions based on Class 12 marks would provide a more equitable system and ensure deserving students are not excluded from medical education due to their inability to access expensive coaching facilities.

The Chief Minister noted that school education performance should be given greater importance in determining eligibility for professional courses.

Long-Standing Opposition to NEET

Tamil Nadu has maintained its opposition to NEET since the examination became mandatory for medical admissions across India.

The state government has previously passed resolutions in the Legislative Assembly seeking exemption from the examination and has consistently communicated its concerns to the Union Government.

State leaders have argued that before the introduction of NEET, Tamil Nadu's admission system based on higher secondary marks enabled greater representation of rural students in medical colleges.

Supporters of the state's position believe that board examination-based admissions promote inclusivity and reduce the financial burden associated with entrance exam coaching.

NEET and Medical Admissions

NEET currently serves as the single national entrance examination for admission to:

• MBBS Courses
• BDS Courses
• AYUSH Programmes
• Veterinary Courses
• Other undergraduate medical programmes

The examination is conducted annually and is used for admissions in government, private, and deemed medical institutions across the country.

The Union Government and several educational experts have defended NEET as a standardized and transparent mechanism that ensures merit-based admissions through a common national platform.

Debate Continues

The discussion over NEET remains one of the most debated education policy issues in India. While supporters argue that a common examination promotes uniform standards and transparency, opponents contend that it disproportionately benefits students with access to coaching infrastructure and urban educational resources.

Tamil Nadu continues to advocate for greater flexibility in medical admissions and has consistently sought the authority to determine admissions to state quota seats through its preferred system.

Conclusion

At the 11th Governing Council Meeting of NITI Aayog, Tamil Nadu Chief Minister C. Joseph Vijay once again urged the Centre to allow MBBS, BDS, and AYUSH admissions based on Class 12 marks instead of NEET. Highlighting concerns about educational equity, rural access, and the challenges faced by economically disadvantaged students, Vijay reiterated Tamil Nadu's long-standing position that medical admissions should prioritize school academic performance over a centralized entrance examination. The issue is expected to remain a significant topic in ongoing discussions between the state and the Union Government regarding medical education reforms.