MK Stalin Calls All MLAs for Meeting After Centre Rejects Tamil Nadu’s NEET Exemption Plea

Tamil Nadu Chief Minister MK Stalin has called an advisory meeting of all Members of the Legislative Assembly (MLAs) at the Secretariat on April 9 following the Centre’s rejection of the state’s long-standing demand to exempt its students from the National Eligibility cum Entrance Test (NEET) for medical admissions.

The Centre’s decision has sparked fresh concerns among state leaders, with Stalin reiterating that Tamil Nadu’s traditional medical admission system had been instrumental in producing some of the country’s finest doctors. The Chief Minister expressed disappointment over the rejection, emphasizing its impact on students from rural and economically weaker backgrounds.

In a statement, Stalin underscored how the introduction of NEET had created barriers for students from underprivileged backgrounds. “With the introduction of NEET, the dream of pursuing medicine has become increasingly unattainable for students from rural areas who lack access to coaching facilities,” he said.

The Chief Minister highlighted that NEET disproportionately benefits urban students who can afford expensive coaching institutes, further widening the gap between privileged and underprivileged aspirants.

Reflecting on Tamil Nadu’s consistent efforts against NEET, Stalin pointed out that the state government had constituted a high-level committee under Justice AK Rajan to study the impact of the entrance exam. The committee’s findings led to the passage of a resolution in the Tamil Nadu Legislative Assembly, demanding the state’s exemption from NEET.

The Tamil Nadu government had forwarded a bill seeking NEET exemption to the Centre through the Governor, followed by detailed clarifications sent to the Union Ministries. However, the Centre has now formally denied the request.

“Despite all our efforts and rightful arguments, the Central government has rejected Tamil Nadu’s request,” Stalin said, expressing his dissatisfaction with the decision.

In response, Stalin has called all MLAs to a consultative meeting at the Secretariat to deliberate on the next course of action. The meeting is expected to witness participation from leaders across party lines, as the issue has been a key political and educational concern in Tamil Nadu for years.

Tamil Nadu has consistently maintained that its existing admission process based on Class 12 board examination scores ensures equitable access to medical education for students from diverse backgrounds.

With the latest rejection from the Centre, the state government is likely to explore legal options and renewed political strategies to push for the exemption.

The outcome of the April 9 meeting will determine the next steps in Tamil Nadu’s ongoing battle against NEET, as the government remains firm on its stand that the national-level exam is detrimental to the state’s medical aspirants.