The Tamil Nadu Assembly on Tuesday passed a resolution seeking the abolition of the National Eligibility cum Entrance Test (NEET) for undergraduate medical admissions in the state, with the DMK, AIADMK, Congress, PMK, DMDK, Left parties and other smaller parties supporting the move. The BJP’s lone MLA, M Bhojarajan, opposed the resolution and staged a walkout from the House.

Tamil Nadu Health Minister K Arunraj moved the resolution, arguing that NEET is against social justice, equality and the rights of states. The resolution seeks amendments to relevant central laws to discontinue the uniform entrance examination for undergraduate medical admissions in Tamil Nadu. The state government has proposed that admissions instead be based on students’ Class 12 examination marks.

The Tamil Nadu government has maintained that NEET places students from rural and economically disadvantaged backgrounds at a disadvantage, particularly those studying in Tamil-medium schools. It has also raised concerns over the increasing reliance on expensive private coaching centres and the pressure associated with a single entrance examination following 12 years of school education.

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During the Assembly debate, BJP MLA M Bhojarajan opposed the resolution and argued that NEET provides students with an opportunity to pursue medical education. Citing an example from Pollachi, he noted that 10 students from the same school had cleared the examination. He questioned why the state government was not concentrating on providing coaching facilities to students instead of seeking the abolition of NEET.

Bhojarajan also argued that the government should establish a support system so students are not dependent on wealthy private individuals or expensive coaching centres for examination preparation. He subsequently announced that he would not participate in the voting and walked out of the Assembly. Meanwhile, AIADMK MLA OS Manian reiterated the party’s opposition to NEET, while DMK MLA Muthuraja backed the resolution.

The latest resolution comes amid Tamil Nadu’s long-running political opposition to NEET and its demand for greater autonomy over medical admissions. The Assembly had earlier unanimously passed the Tamil Nadu Admission to Undergraduate Medical Degree Courses Bill, 2021, seeking exemption from NEET, with the state government repeatedly urging the Centre to approve the legislation. The issue remains a major political debate, with the government framing it as a question of social justice and opponents advocating stronger coaching and support for students.

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