TN Assembly Adopts Resolution Seeking NEET Abolition, Backs Marks-Based Medical Admissions

Chennai: The Tamil Nadu Assembly passed a resolution on Tuesday demanding that the Centre do away with NEET and instead permit undergraduate medical admissions to be determined by Class 12 board exam scores.

Moving the resolution, Health Minister K G Arunraj restated the state government's consistent stand that the entrance test conflicts with the principles of social justice and equality, while also infringing on the states' constitutional say over medical education matters.

According to reports, the resolution went on to claim that NEET disproportionately harms students studying in Tamil medium, along with those hailing from rural and financially disadvantaged backgrounds, effectively narrowing their path into medical education.

Members from the DMK, AIADMK, PMK and various Left parties voiced support for the resolution during the debate, following which it was passed by the Assembly. It has also been reported that the sole BJP legislator Bhojarajan expressed his objection to the resolution, staging a walkout in protest.

Over 20 students died by suicide after the original NEET UG exam was cancelled following a question paper leak. Since the irregularities in NEET came to light, several states have been demanding the Union Government to scrap the test. The deaths led to protests nationwide that spilled onto the streets of Delhi in June and July. Following protests by CJP and youth of India, Union education minister Dharmendra Pradhan resigned.