CM Vijay Opposes NEET Again, Says Tamil Nadu Students Need Fairer System

CM Vijay Opposes NEET Again, Says Tamil Nadu Students Need Fairer System

Chennai, June 23, 2026: Tamil Nadu Chief Minister C. Joseph Vijay on Tuesday renewed his opposition to the National Eligibility-cum-Entrance Test (NEET), saying the exam continues to place students from the state at a disadvantage.

Speaking in the Assembly while replying to the Governor’s address, Vijay said education policies should protect students’ interests instead of creating additional pressure and barriers. His remarks came two days after the NEET UG 2026 re-examination was held on June 21, following the cancellation of the earlier test over alleged irregularities and paper leak concerns.

Vijay Repeats Tamil Nadu’s Stand Against NEET

Vijay said Tamil Nadu’s concerns over NEET remain unresolved and argued that students from different academic, social, and regional backgrounds cannot be judged fairly through one national entrance test alone.

The Chief Minister said the state’s position was based on student welfare and equal opportunity. He added that the government would continue to raise concerns over the impact of NEET on Tamil Nadu students, especially those from rural areas and state board schools.

NEET has remained a major political and education issue in Tamil Nadu for several years, with many parties in the state arguing that the exam affects social justice and access to medical education.

At the same time, the Union government and medical education authorities have maintained that NEET is meant to create a common admission standard for medical courses across the country.

NEET Re-Exam Brings Student Concerns Back Into Focus

The latest remarks gained attention after the NEET UG 2026 re-examination was conducted across the country on June 21. In Tamil Nadu, more than 1.4 lakh candidates appeared for the test across hundreds of centres.

Several students reportedly found the Physics and Chemistry sections more difficult and time-consuming than expected, while Biology was considered relatively easier. The re-exam has once again brought student stress, exam fairness, and medical admission policy into the public debate.

The issue has also become more sensitive in Tamil Nadu after reports of two medical aspirants allegedly dying by suicide within a short span of time in the state. Political leaders and education activists have called for a deeper review of how high-pressure entrance exams affect students.

Language Should Be A Choice, Not A Compulsion

Apart from NEET, Vijay also spoke against language imposition and said students should have the freedom to learn languages by choice, not compulsion.

“Language should not be imposed on students, and we must unite on issues concerning Tamil Nadu’s welfare,” Vijay told the Assembly.

The Chief Minister said Tamil Nadu’s education and cultural concerns should not be turned into political battles. He urged political parties to come together on matters affecting students, young people, and the state’s long-term interests.

CM Calls For Unity On Tamil Nadu’s Welfare

Vijay said Tamil Nadu could become a leading state in the country if political parties worked together on key welfare issues. He added that education, language, and student rights must be handled with responsibility.

The Chief Minister also briefly responded to criticism about his political journey and defended the electoral performance of Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam, which contested the 2026 Assembly elections independently.

However, his comments on NEET and language policy remained the main focus of the Assembly speech, reinforcing two issues that continue to shape Tamil Nadu’s education politics.

Key Takeaway

CM Vijay’s latest Assembly remarks show that Tamil Nadu’s opposition to NEET remains strong under the new government. By linking the exam issue with student welfare and language rights, Vijay has signalled that education policy will remain a major part of the state’s political agenda.