Just a few days into his new position, Tamil Nadu Chief Minister C. Joseph Vijay has rekindled an equally intense debate across the nation by declaring his demand for outright NEET abolition. Pointing to the recent cancellation of NEET-UG 2026 owing to rampant paper leaks, Vijay appealed to the Centre to revert to Class 12 examination marks for admission into medical courses including MBBS, BDS, and AYUSH programs.
In May, the NTA had scrapped NEET-UG 2026 due to paper leaks that left the guess papers identical to the actual question pattern. The exam saw participation from more than 22 lakh students across the country. This led to numerous CBI investigations, arrests, and mental agony to the candidates. “It is an indicator of the structural flaws” in the examination procedure,” remarked Vijay, emphasizing the decades-long opposition of Tamil Nadu to NEET from the year 2017.
The toll on humans has been quite grim. According to Tamil Nadu, there is at least one case of NEET-associated student suicides from 18-26 in the past four years from 2017. In this context, the significant illustration is that of Anitha, the rural Dalit topper who achieved an excellent score of 1176/1200 in board examinations but couldn’t cope with the test. This reflects the undue pressure created by NEET on first-generation students and those from rural areas wishing to pursue careers in the medical sector. That is precisely why the demand raised by the Chief Minister of Tamil Nadu has a direct link with the NEET exemption announced by Tamil Nadu assembly. This assertive ideological stand on state-level autonomy has further cemented his political clout following recent controversies, notably after his distinct remembrance day tributes that made waves across the political spectrum.
In this case, there arise multiple concerns related to the principles of federalism in education, issues of equity vs standardization, and the very sustainability of a system where national exams are prone to leaks and coaching mafia. Although NEET proponents argue about equal meritocracy, the experiences of Tamil Nadu reveal that NEET works to the disadvantage of social justice. This strong regional pushback highlights the deeper structural walls that national parties face here, showcasing why the central leadership repeatedly fails to breach the fortified stronghold of southern regional politics.
