TVK demands complete abolition of NEET

Tamil Nadu's ruling party, Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam (TVK), has demanded the complete abolition of the National Eligibility cum Entrance Test (NEET). Rather than merely attempting to make the examination free of irregularities, the party called for its total repeal to ensure full control over all aspects of medical education by the state governments.

In a statement issued, the TVK stated that its stance on NEET remains "unwavering and uncompromising" on Tuesday. According to the party, the national-level entrance test for medical admissions should be abolished altogether.

Furthermore, the party demanded that the education sector be removed from the Concurrent List of the Constitution and transferred back to the State List. However, in the event of legal or constitutional hurdles, the TVK proposed the creation of a special concurrent list as an interim measure to ensure state governments exercise full authority over education, particularly medical education.

In the statement, the TVK claimed that this proposed vision represents its long-term as well as interim solution for the education system, noting that party leader and Tamil Nadu Chief Minister C. Joseph Vijay had previously clarified the party's position on this matter.

At the same time, the TVK indirectly criticized the main opposition party, DMK, condemning the politics of claiming credit for the movements and ideas of others. The party alleged that making electoral promises to scrap NEET is deceitful. Notably, prior to the 2021 Tamil Nadu Assembly elections, the DMK had promised to abolish NEET if voted to power.