Tamil Nadu Chief Minister C Joseph Vijay has once again demanded the abolition of NEET-based medical admissions, following the controversy surrounding the NEET-UG 2026 paper leak. In a statement posted on X, CM Vijay called for a shift to admissions based on Class 12 marks, emphasizing that the recent paper leak incident exposed NEET’s “structural flaws.” He urged the Union government to allow states to handle medical seat allocations under the state quota using Class 12 scores, an approach long advocated by Tamil Nadu.

The CM’s statement came amid nationwide protests and significant political backlash following the cancellation of NEET-UG 2026. The cancellation of the exam, after allegations of a paper leak, has left millions of aspirants uncertain about the admission process. The National Testing Agency (NTA) has handed the investigation over to the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI), and several arrests have been made in connection with the leak.

Tamil Nadu has consistently opposed NEET since its inception, citing concerns that the exam disadvantages students from rural areas, government schools, and socio-economically weaker backgrounds. CM Vijay’s stance has once again brought the debate into the national spotlight, with many supporters calling for the state’s right to control its educational admission process.

The controversy surrounding NEET has intensified with accusations of political interference, with several opposition leaders alleging links between some of the accused and the ruling BJP. The case has sparked a renewed discussion about the fairness of national exams and the need for reform in the system.

The Federation of All India Medical Associations (FAIMA) has also called for a complete overhaul of the NTA and the creation of an autonomous body to oversee medical entrance exams. As the protests grow louder, it remains to be seen whether the central government will heed Tamil Nadu’s call for reform or maintain the NEET system.