Tamil Nadu Chief Minister C. Joseph Vijay on Monday once again mounted a strong attack on the National Eligibility-cum-Entrance Test (NEET), telling the Assembly that the medical entrance exam continues to work against the interests of students in the state.Responding to the governor’s address, Vijay said that education policies should help students realize their aspirations rather than creating hurdles that make vocational courses more difficult to access.His remarks came at a time when NEET is again under the spotlight. A re-examination was held on June 21 after the previous test was canceled amid allegations of irregularities and a paper leak, reviving a debate that has long dominated Tamil Nadu’s education and political landscape.
Vijay reiterates the state’s stand on NEET
Tamil Nadu has been among the most vocal critics of NEET since the exam became mandatory for admission to medical courses. Successive governments in the state have argued that a single national entrance test disadvantages students from state board backgrounds and favors those who have access to specialized coaching.Reiterating that position, Vijay said Tamil Nadu’s concerns have still not been properly addressed. Although he did not announce any fresh policy measures, his speech made it clear that the state government remains firmly opposed to the examination in its current form.The issue has gained renewed urgency following reports that two aspiring doctors have allegedly died by suicide within 24 hours of each other in Tamil Nadu. The incidents have once again raised concerns about the intense pressure associated with high-stakes entrance exams.
The re-test will see the participation of more than 1.42 lakh candidates
The latest round of NEET exams drew a massive response from students across Tamil Nadu. More than 1.42 lakh candidates appeared for the test again in 307 examination centers across the state.Many candidates who spoke after the exam said that the Physics and Chemistry sections were more difficult and time-consuming than those in the canceled test. Biology, however, was generally perceived as relatively easier.The feedback added another layer to the ongoing debate about the exam’s structure, level of difficulty and impact on students.
Language should never be imposed, says the Prime Minister
Beyond NEET, Vijay also touched on another issue that has historically carried significant political and cultural weight in Tamil Nadu – language politics.“Language should not be imposed on students, and we should unite on issues related to the welfare of Tamil Nadu,” he said in the Assembly.The Prime Minister argued that students should be free to learn and grow without linguistic compulsion. Stressing the need for political unity on matters affecting the future of the state, he said parties should work together whenever issues related to education, youth and social welfare are involved.“If we unite on issues related to the welfare of Tamil Nadu, our state will become a leader in the country,” he said.
Education should not become a political battleground
Vijay argued that educational and cultural issues should be viewed through the lens of public welfare rather than political rivalry. He called for a collective effort to safeguard the interests of students and ensure that political decisions are shaped by their needs.Although the Prime Minister also briefly responded to the criticism surrounding his political journey and defended the electoral performance of the Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam (TVK) in the 2026 Assembly elections, it is his comments on NEET and the language policy that have attracted the most attention.The remarks have again placed two of Tamil Nadu’s most persistent issues, medical admissions and language rights, at the center of public discussion, underscoring how deeply both continue to resonate across the state.
