Tamil Nadu Assembly Passes Resolution to Abolish NEET: State Seeks Class 12 Marks-Based Medical Admissions
Tamil Nadu Assembly has passed a resolution urging the Centre to abolish NEET for UG medical admissions and allow Class 12 marks-based admissions, citing irregularities, coaching costs and social justice concerns.
The Tamil Nadu Legislative Assembly on Tuesday, August 11, 2026, adopted a resolution urging the Union government to abolish the National Eligibility cum Entrance Test (NEET) for admission to undergraduate medical courses in the state. The resolution seeks amendments to relevant central laws to enable MBBS and other undergraduate medical admissions based on Class 12 marks instead of the common entrance examination.
The resolution was moved by Tamil Nadu Health Minister K G Arunraj. The state government argued that NEET has adversely affected social justice and equal access to medical education, particularly for students from rural, Tamil-medium and economically disadvantaged backgrounds.
Tamil Nadu Assembly NEET Resolution: What Happened?
The Tamil Nadu Assembly adopted the resolution after members from several political parties, including the DMK, AIADMK, PMK and Left parties, supported the demand to scrap NEET. However, BJP MLA M Bhojarajan opposed the resolution and staged a walkout from the Assembly.
The move marks another major push by Tamil Nadu against the centralised medical entrance examination. The state has repeatedly sought an exemption from NEET and has argued that admissions to undergraduate medical courses should instead take into account students' performance in Class 12.
Why Does Tamil Nadu Want NEET Abolished?
According to the resolution, Tamil Nadu's opposition to NEET is based on concerns related to social justice, equality, coaching dependence and access to medical education.
Health Minister K G Arunraj argued that the examination has shifted students' focus away from the school curriculum towards entrance-exam coaching. The state also raised concerns over the rapid growth of coaching centres and the high fees charged by them.
The Tamil Nadu government maintains that students who cannot afford expensive coaching are placed at a disadvantage compared with those who have access to private coaching facilities.
NEET and Rural, Tamil-Medium Students
It highlighted the impact of NEET on students from rural areas, Tamil-medium schools and socio-economically deprived sections.
The state argued that a single national entrance examination can create barriers for students whose schooling and preparation opportunities differ significantly from those available to students in urban areas and private institutions.
Tamil Nadu has therefore called for a medical admission system that would allow eligible students to compete for undergraduate medical seats on the basis of their Class 12 performance.
Tamil Nadu Cites Exam Irregularities and Paper Leak Concerns
The Assembly's latest resolution also referred to concerns surrounding NEET exam irregularities, paper leaks and loss of student’s trust.
The issue has remained politically sensitive amid continuing debates over the integrity and fairness of national-level entrance examinations. Tamil Nadu has argued that repeated controversies surrounding the examination strengthen the case for reconsidering the existing admission system.
The state has also raised concerns about the pressure placed on students when admission to medical courses depends heavily on performance in a single entrance examination.
What Does the NEET Abolition Resolution Propose?
The resolution urges the Union government to amend the relevant central laws so that NEET is no longer mandatory for undergraduate medical admissions in Tamil Nadu.
If the state's proposal is accepted, medical admissions could instead be conducted on the basis of Class 12 marks, as sought by the Tamil Nadu government.
However, the Assembly resolution by itself does not immediately abolish NEET in Tamil Nadu. Any change to the existing national medical admission framework would require action at the Union government level and amendments to the applicable legal framework.
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Apeksha Agarwal is an Education Journalist with over 3.5 years of experience. She covers a wide range of topics, including school board examinations, entrance tests, admissions, results, scholarships, and higher education updates. Over the years, she has closely tracked major examinations such as JEE Main, NEET UG, CUET, and various state-level entrance exams, helping students stay informed throughout their academic journey. Apeksha has a Master's degree in Journalism and Mass Communication and a certificate in Digital Journalism. She is passionate about transforming complex educational developments into clear, accessible, and useful information. Her reporting focuses on providing students, parents, and educators with accurate updates and practical insights on examinations, results, and policy changes. She believes that quality education journalism can make a meaningful difference by helping students make informed decisions about their future.
