President rejects Tamil Nadu’s NEET Exemption Bill, Stalin calls it a blow to federalism

State reaffirms commitment to fight against centralized medical entrance exam

Tamil Nadu‘s bid to opt out of the National Eligibility cum Entrance Test (NEET) for medical admissions faced a major setback on Friday as President Droupadi Murmu rejected the state’s exemption bill. The proposed legislation aimed to allow admissions to medical colleges based on Class 12 marks rather than the centralized national exam.

Chief Minister M K Stalin announced the President’s decision in the Tamil Nadu Assembly, highlighting that the bill had been passed twice by the state legislature—in 2021 and 2022—and was pending central approval since then.

Political and legislative context

In June 2023, the Tamil Nadu Assembly unanimously adopted a resolution urging the Union government to abolish NEET and allow states to devise their own admission criteria. The rejection of the bill now adds to ongoing friction between the DMK-led state government and the BJP-led Central government, especially over issues like delimitation and the alleged imposition of Hindi.

Calling it an “insult” to the state and a “black phase in federalism,” Stalin criticized the Union government’s refusal to grant an exemption despite Tamil Nadu submitting the required clarifications. He also announced plans to convene an all-party legislature meeting to discuss the state’s response, referencing similar unity shown during protests against the delimitation exercise.

“Our fight is far from over,” Stalin said. “We will seek legal advice on the next steps to challenge this decision.”

Background: Why Tamil Nadu opposes NEET

Tamil Nadu’s resistance to NEET stems from its long-standing emphasis on social justice in education. The state argues that the national entrance test disproportionately favors students from privileged backgrounds who can afford coaching, while marginalized students often lack access to such resources. The state believes that using Class 12 board marks for admissions would offer a more equitable approach.

The NEET controversy has deepened over the years, particularly after incidents involving alleged paper leaks and student suicides linked to exam pressure. In 2024, the Supreme Court reviewed petitions demanding a retest after a reported question paper leak but ultimately dismissed the case, stating there was no strong evidence that the exam’s integrity was compromised.

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