TVK has demanded the complete abolition of NEET and called for states to receive full authority over education, medical admissions and related policies.
TVK Demands NEET Abolition and Greater State Authority
Tamil Nadu’s ruling Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam has renewed its demand for the complete abolition of the National Eligibility-cum-Entrance Test, saying its opposition goes beyond allegations of examination irregularities. The party said its position remains firm and that medical admissions should not be controlled solely through a national entrance system.
The statement comes amid renewed student protests and political criticism over the alleged NEET paper leak. TVK argued that the controversy has again exposed concerns over fairness, access and the ability of states to shape admission policies according to their educational and social conditions.
States Should Get Full Control Over Medical Education
TVK called for education to be shifted from the Concurrent List to the State List of the Constitution. According to the party, this change would give state governments complete authority over education policy, including medical education and admission procedures.
The party maintained that states are better placed to understand regional needs, school systems and the difficulties faced by students from rural or economically weaker backgrounds. It said Tamil Nadu should have the power to design a medical admission system that protects social justice while maintaining academic standards.
Special Concurrent List Proposed as Interim Solution
TVK said that if constitutional or procedural difficulties prevent education from being immediately moved to the State List, the Centre should create a Special Concurrent List as a temporary arrangement. Under the proposal, states would receive broader education powers until a permanent constitutional solution is reached.
The party described this as an interim route that could reduce centralised control and allow state governments to make important decisions concerning medical colleges, admissions and educational policy. It said Chief Minister C. Joseph Vijay had previously emphasised both the permanent and interim approaches.
DMK Faces Criticism Over Earlier NEET Promise
Without directly naming the DMK, TVK criticised parties that promise to abolish NEET for electoral gains but fail to deliver after assuming power. The remark was viewed as a reference to the DMK’s promise before the 2021 Tamil Nadu Assembly election to secure relief from the national medical entrance examination.
The ruling party also objected to what it described as attempts to claim ownership of ideas and struggles developed by others. Its statement followed political exchanges involving DMK leader Udhayanidhi Stalin and rapper Therukkural Arivu, who raised anti-NEET slogans near the Tamil Nadu Secretariat before being taken away by police.
The renewed demand has intensified Tamil Nadu’s political debate over NEET, federal authority and control of education. TVK has positioned the abolition of the entrance examination and greater state power over medical education as central parts of its policy agenda.
