Relief for students or a new political move? Politics heated up due to CM Vijay’s demand to abolish NEET, know the whole matter

Tamil Nadu CM Vijay On NEET-UG 2026: Tamil Nadu Chief Minister S. Joseph Vijay has appealed to the Central government to scrap NEET and allow states to admit medical students on the basis of Class 12 marks. This request was made after NEET-UG 2026 was canceled following the paper leak. He said such recurring irregularities highlight structural flaws, which most impact rural, government school and economically weaker students.

The National Testing Agency (NTA) conducted NEET-UG 2026 on May 3 at 5,432 centers across the country, including centers in 31 cities in Tamil Nadu. More than 22 lakh students appeared for the exam across the country, including around 1.4 lakh candidates from Tamil Nadu.

CBI is investigating the case

The exam was later canceled following allegations of question paper leak, following which law enforcement agencies launched an investigation. Now this case has been handed over to the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI). Vijay said that similar controversies had taken place regarding the NEET exam in 2024 also, when FIRs were registered in several states due to allegations of exam paper leaking and action was initiated under the supervision of the Supreme Court. After that incident, the Central Government appointed former ISRO Chairman Dr. K. A high-level committee was formed under the chairmanship of Radhakrishnan, which presented 95 recommendations for reforms.

Vijay raised questions on the system

However, Vijay said that another major glitch within two years clearly shows that the system still remains weak. Reiterating Tamil Nadu’s long-standing opposition to NEET, the Chief Minister said the exam disproportionately affects students from rural areas, government schools, Tamil medium institutions and those from economically weaker backgrounds. He argued that the system is more tilted in favor of students who can afford expensive coaching centers and get the benefits of urban education.

NEET issue was also raised during election campaign

Even before becoming the Chief Minister, Vijay had continuously campaigned against NEET during the assembly election campaign and had promised to continue the demand for exemption from this examination in Tamil Nadu. He had repeatedly reiterated that admission to medical courses should be based on second class marks rather than a centralized competitive examination.

Also read: Tamil Nadu News: Punishment fell on 25 AIADMK MLAs who voted for CM Vijay, EPS showed the way out

tamilnadu cm vijay on Wednesday reiterated its appeal to the Central government to permanently scrap NEET and restore the right of states to fill MBBS, BDS and AYUSH seats under state quota on the basis of Class 12 performance.