The ongoing debate over the National Eligibility cum Entrance Test-Undergraduate (NEET-UG) has intensified in Tamil Nadu, with the ruling Dravidian Model (DMK) government and its allies, alongside the opposition AIADMK, renewing their calls for the exam’s abolition. This resurgence of demand follows the announcement of NEET results on June 4, which saw a record number of 67 students, including eight from Tamil Nadu, securing All India Rank 1.
The DMK government, facing criticism for its performance over the past three years and unmet promises from the 2021 Assembly and 2024 Lok Sabha elections, has been accused of using the NEET issue as a diversionary tactic. At least 1,52,920 students from Tamil Nadu appeared for NEET 2024, with 89,426 passing, resulting in an overall pass percentage of 58.47 per cent, an improvement from last year’s 54.45 per cent.
The examination, conducted in 13 languages, including Tamil, saw over 1.5 lakh students appear this year, compared to 1.42 lakh in 2022 and 1.47 lakh in 2023. A coaching center spokesperson attributed this increase to greater public awareness and the high number of repeaters.
Tamil Nadu Chief Minister MK Stalin reiterated the state government’s stance against NEET, advocating for the return to state-conducted entrance exams. In a social media post, Stalin highlighted issues such as question paper leaks, clustering of toppers at specific centers, and mathematically improbable grace marks as evidence of the exam’s flaws. He argued that these problems underscored the need for state governments to reclaim their role in setting criteria for professional course selection.
Stalin’s post on social media platform X stated, “Trends emerging from the latest #NEET results have once again vindicated our principled opposition to the exam. Issues such as question paper leaks, clustering of toppers at specific centres, and award of marks, which are mathematically impossible, under the guise of grace marks highlight the pitfalls of the current Union Government’s centralisation. These events emphasise the need to restore the pre-eminence State governments’ and school education system’s role in determining criteria for professional course selection.”
He further emphasised, “NEET and other entrance examinations are anti-poor; they undermine federal polity; they are against social justice; they impact the availability of doctors in deserving areas. Let’s join hands to eradicate this malady. That day is not far!”
AIADMK General Secretary Edappadi K. Palaniswami (EPS) echoed similar sentiments, citing allegations of malpractice in northern states, from exam center allocation to question paper distribution. He called for the government to address these irregularities and cancel NEET.
In response, TN BJP Vice President Narayanan Thirupathi dismissed the accusations, stating that they have been repeatedly proven false. He argued that NEET ensures quality education and access for poor students, countering claims that the exam disadvantages them. Thirupathi accused the DMK of opposing NEET to benefit the wealthy and undermine the quality of education under the guise of federalism and social justice.
Thirupathi stated, “You have been accusing the NEET of many issues such as question papers in regional languages, village students & Govt School students not able to clear NEET, it will affect Reservation, Huge fees collected by coaching centres etc. It has been proved with facts and figures and cleared beyond doubt that these accusations are totally false and that is why the court has ordered the NEET should continue.”
He added, “Not able to digest the facts and unable to proceed further on these accusations, you have come up with a fresh set of accusations and reasons to stop NEET by accusing such as question paper leaks, clustering of toppers at specific centres, grace marks etc. It has been proved that no such leaks have taken place anywhere and no one was able to prove or give a document regarding clustering of toppers at specific centres and the grace marks issue was clearly explained by the NTA that it was done as per the direction of the courts. Hence we reiterate: NEET and other entrance examinations are opposed by you in favor of the rich; in the name of federal policy you are undermining the quality of education; in the name of social justice you are trying to do injustice to the poor; you are trying to stop young doctors from serving throughout the country particularly in rural areas. Please understand that NEET is here to stay for the poor and you can’t abolish it.”
As the NEET controversy continues to unfold, the debate over the future of medical education in Tamil Nadu remains a significant and contentious issue in the state’s political landscape.
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