Tamil Nadu Assembly Passes Resolution to Abolish NEET

The Tamil Nadu Legislative Assembly on Tuesday, August 11, 2026, passed a resolution urging the central government to abolish the National Eligibility cum Entrance Test (NEET) for undergraduate medical admissions and allow entry based on Class 12 examination marks. The resolution, moved by state Health Minister K.G. Arunraj, was supported by a broad coalition of parties including the ruling Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (DMK), the opposition All India Anna Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (AIADMK), the Congress, and several others. The lone Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) MLA staged a walkout in protest before the vote.

Minister Arunraj argued that NEET undermines social justice, equality, and the rights of states over medical education. He stated that the exam has diverted students' focus from the school curriculum to expensive coaching centres, creating an uneven playing field. "NEET has gravely undermined medical education opportunities for rural and socioeconomically disadvantaged students," Arunraj said, adding that the state government proposes admissions be determined by Class 12 results.

The resolution cited repeated irregularities, including question paper leaks, which led to the...