Tamil Nadu Chief Minister C. Joseph Vijay called for the abolition of the National Eligibility cum Entrance Test (NEET) on Wednesday.
The demand reflects a long-standing political struggle in Tamil Nadu over the national standardized test, which critics argue disadvantages students from rural areas and state-run schools.
Vijay urged the Indian government to scrap the examination system and instead allocate medical seats based on marks obtained in Class 12. This proposal aims to shift the entry criteria for medical education away from a single competitive exam toward a broader academic record.
In a statement posted on X, Vijay said the latest paper leak controversy had exposed the “structural flaws” in the national-level examination system. He specifically called for the cancellation of NEET-UG 2026 [1].
The Chief Minister suggested that the recurring issues with exam integrity and accessibility make the current system untenable. By reverting to Class 12 marks, the administration argues that the process would become more transparent, and equitable for all candidates.
This move aligns with previous efforts by the Tamil Nadu government to challenge the legality of the entrance exam in court. The state has consistently maintained that the test creates an uneven playing field for students who cannot afford private coaching centers.
“the latest paper leak controversy had exposed the “structural flaws” in the national‑level examination system”
This call for abolition highlights the persistent tension between state-level educational autonomy and federal standardization in India. By linking medical admissions to Class 12 marks, the Tamil Nadu government seeks to dismantle a system it views as a barrier to social mobility, especially following allegations of systemic corruption and paper leaks that undermine the meritocratic intent of the national exam.
