Centre rejects Tamil Nadu’s request to abolish NEET, CM to hold all-party meet to continue the fight

The Tamil Nadu government has been in the spotlight recently for its ongoing push to reform the state’s education system. In the latest development, Chief Minister (CM) MK Stalin informed the state assembly that the Central government has rejected Tamil Nadu's request to be exempted from the National Eligibility-cum-Entrance Test (NEET). Addressing the assembly, Stalin stated, "Despite the Tamil Nadu government providing all necessary clarifications through various ministries, the Union government has now rejected the exemption from NEET.”CM Stalin condemned the rejection, calling it a "dark chapter in federalism." He argued that NEET disproportionately benefits privileged urban students who can afford expensive coaching, leaving rural and economically disadvantaged students at a disadvantage. In response, Tamil Nadu has pledged to continue its fight to make medical education more accessible by pushing for college admissions based on class 12 scores instead of NEET.In 2024, CM Stalin formally requested Prime Minister Narendra Modi to grant Tamil Nadu an exemption from NEET for medical admissions, proposing that class 12 exam scores be the sole criterion for admission to medical colleges. The request was rooted in several factors, including concerns over the fairness and accessibility of the NEET exam.Stalin highlighted that the financial burden of NEET coaching leaves many rural and underprivileged students without a fair chance to compete for medical seats in top institutions. The move to abolish NEET also comes from the recent NEET paper leak which led to many questioning its credibility for national level medical college entrance examination. Following the rejection from the Centre, CM Stalin announced plans to convene an all-party meeting on April 9, 2025 to discuss the next steps in the state's effort to abolish NEET. The meeting will focus on rallying political support to uphold the will of the people of Tamil Nadu.Other states, including West Bengal and Karnataka, have also proposed scrapping NEET for state-level medical college admissions, indicating a growing regional push against the exam.In addition to its stance on NEET, the Tamil Nadu government has been vocal in opposing the Central government’s National Education Policy (NEP). Last year, the state introduced its own education policy, which aims to bring significant changes to the education system. The proposed policy features a four-stage education system (5+3+2+2), starting formal schooling at age 5, and focuses on Tamil and English as the primary mediums of instruction. It also seeks to eliminate public exams until Class 10 and replace rote learning with open-book assessments.The Tamil Nadu government has also expressed concerns about the NEP’s potential imposition of Hindi on the state, with accusations that the policy undermines Tamil language and culture. In 2025, Tamil Nadu declined to participate in the Prime Minister’s Schools for Rising India (PM-SHRI) scheme, further highlighting its opposition to the NEP. Reports have indicated that the state’s education funds have been withheld by the Centre due to non-compliance with the NEP, and these funds have yet to be released.Under CM Stalin's leadership, Tamil Nadu continues its fight to shape an education system that aligns with the state's unique cultural and linguistic needs. Despite facing setbacks due to the Central government's push for a unified national education system, Tamil Nadu remains resolute in its efforts to create an education framework that is more inclusive and representative of its people.(with inputs from PTI)