Tamil Nadu Assembly Passes Resolution Seeking Abolition of NEET; BJP Stages Walkout

Chennai: The Tamil Nadu Legislative Assembly on Monday adopted a resolution seeking the abolition of the National Eligibility cum Entrance Test (NEET) and urged the Centre to restore the state's right to determine admissions to undergraduate medical courses.

The resolution was passed amid strong support from the ruling alliance, which reiterated its long-standing opposition to NEET. The state government argued that the entrance examination disadvantages students from rural areas, government schools and economically weaker sections, while affecting Tamil Nadu's established medical admission system.

During the debate, members of the ruling alliance maintained that the state's previous admission process, based on Class 12 marks, had ensured greater social justice and equitable access to medical education. They urged the Union government to grant Tamil Nadu an exemption from NEET or take steps to abolish the examination.

The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) opposed the resolution, arguing that NEET provides a transparent, merit-based and uniform admission process for medical colleges across the country. BJP legislators staged a walkout from the Assembly, protesting the adoption of the resolution.

The issue of NEET has remained a major political subject in Tamil Nadu since the examination became mandatory for medical admissions. Successive state governments have repeatedly sought exemption from the test, citing concerns over its impact on disadvantaged students.

The Union government has consistently maintained that NEET ensures transparency, standardisation and equal opportunities for medical aspirants nationwide. It has argued that a common entrance examination helps maintain uniform academic standards in medical education.

The latest resolution is expected to renew the debate between the state and the Centre over medical admissions. However, any change to the existing NEET framework would require action by the Union government and, where necessary, legislative amendments at the national level.

The passage of the resolution once again underscores Tamil Nadu's continued demand for changes to the medical admission process and highlights the political differences between the state government and the BJP on education policy.