Tamil Nadu CM Vijay opposes NEET, urges merit-based college admissions

Tamil Nadu's Chief Minister M.K. Stalin has once again voiced the state's firm stance against the NEET examination, calling for a return to merit-based admissions criteria centered on Class XII board results. The statement came as the state government engaged with a Centre-appointed task force examining the contentious entrance examination system.

Staling emphasized that college admissions should be determined exclusively by candidates' Class XII performance, arguing that this approach better reflects student merit and academic preparation. The position aligns with Tamil Nadu's broader educational philosophy and longstanding reservations about nationwide entrance tests.

Tamil Nadu has consistently maintained its opposition to NEET since its implementation, with successive state governments arguing that the examination disadvantages students from vernacular educational backgrounds and undermines the state's own assessment mechanisms. The Chief Minister's restatement of this position underscores the state's continued commitment to pursuing alternative admission frameworks.

The interaction with the Centre's task force provides an opportunity for Tamil Nadu to formally present its perspective on higher education access and assessment methodologies at the national level. The state's advocacy for examination-based admissions rather than standardized entrance tests remains a key point of contention in ongoing discussions about educational policy harmonization across India.