Tamil Nadu Chief Minister C. Joseph Vijay has again demanded the complete abolition of NEET. He called the recent paper leak proof of the exam’s “structural flaws.” He also urged the Union government to respect the sentiments of students and the public by scrapping the national medical entrance test.
What Vijay Said
Speaking on Wednesday, July 22, 2026, the CM reiterated his party Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam’s (TVK) uncompromising stand on NEET.
“To abolish NEET, the definitive solution is to revert education from the Concurrent List back to the State List,” Vijay said. “If constitutional or legal obstacles block this move, then the Centre should establish a Special Concurrent List temporarily. This would grant States the necessary authority and allow them full jurisdiction over education, including medical education.”
He added that until such a change happens, states should fill all MBBS, BDS, and AYUSH seats under the State quota based on Class 12 marks.
Why Tamil Nadu Opposes NEET
Tamil Nadu has long argued that NEET disadvantages rural, government-school, and underprivileged students who study in the state syllabus and Tamil medium. The state also contends that the exam’s reliance on NCERT content and a single national standard skews the playing field against them.
In 2022, the assembly passed a bill to eliminate NEET in Tamil Nadu. The President has yet to approve it. Now, Vijay has thrown his full weight behind the demand, framing it as both a matter of federal rights and educational equity.
The Bigger Picture
The CM’s comments come amid nationwide protests led by the Cockroach Janta Party (CJP) and student groups over alleged NEET-UG 2026 irregularities. Demonstrators in Delhi have called for Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan’s resignation. They have also demanded a transparent probe into the National Testing Agency’s functioning.
Meanwhile, Vijay condemned the detention of opposition leaders, including Rahul Gandhi, during the protests. He called it “anti-democratic.”
No state government can unilaterally scrap NEET. Central law mandates the exam, and the Supreme Court has upheld it. Yet Tamil Nadu’s push adds political weight to the growing chorus for reform. The Centre may amend the law, create a special concurrent list, or pursue other measures. Only time will tell.
For now, Vijay’s message is clear: “The only solution is to abolish NEET.”
