Kathmandu— On Tuesday, the Tamil Nadu Legislative Assembly passed a resolution opposing the National Eligibility cum Entrance Test (NEET) for undergraduate medical admissions. The move garnered support from a broad coalition of parties – including the ruling DMK, opposition AIADMK, Congress, PMK, and others – while the BJP’s sole MLA staged a walkout in protest. Tamil Nadu Health Minister K Arunraj introduced the resolution, asserting that NEET is detrimental to social justice, equality, and the autonomy of state governments, seeking amendments to central laws to discontinue the uniform entrance exam.

Arguments for Abolition

The Tamil Nadu government contends that NEET disproportionately disadvantages students from rural areas and economically weaker sections, particularly those educated in Tamil medium schools. Concerns were raised regarding the increasing reliance on costly coaching centers and the undue pressure placed on students after completing their 12 years of schooling. The proposed alternative is to base medical admissions solely on Class 12 examination marks.

Opposition Stance

BJP MLA M Bhojarajan voiced opposition to the resolution, arguing that NEET provides opportunities for Tamil Nadu students and offers hope for a better future. He cited an example from Pollachi where ten students from a single school successfully cleared the exam. Bhojarajan questioned why the state government wasn’t prioritizing coaching facilities instead of seeking abolition, suggesting it stemmed from a sense of inferiority.

Cross-Party Support

AIADMK MLA O.S. Manian affirmed his party's continued opposition to NEET, stating that “AIADMK remains firm in its anti-NEET policy.” DMK MLA Muthuraja also expressed his party’s support for the resolution. This unified stance comes after the Tamil Nadu Assembly previously passed the Tamil Nadu Admission to Undergraduate Medical Degree Courses Bill in 2021, seeking an exemption from NEET – a request that has repeatedly been made of the central government.

Ongoing Debate

The debate surrounding NEET remains a significant political issue within Tamil Nadu. The ruling government maintains that the exam hinders social justice and access to medical education, while opponents advocate for improved coaching resources rather than complete abolition. Bhojarajan urged the state government to establish a special scheme to support students so they would not have to rely on expensive private coaching.

The resolution passed by the Tamil Nadu Assembly represents a continued push for greater autonomy in determining medical admission policies and addresses long-standing concerns about equity and access to higher education.

(With inputs from ANI)

Originally published on abcnews.com.np.