Education – Stalin Renews Call to End NEET Amid Growing Student Opposition
Education – Former Tamil Nadu Chief Minister and DMK president M.K. Stalin has once again urged the Union Government to abolish the National Eligibility cum Entrance Test (NEET), arguing that the examination has failed to achieve the objectives for which it was introduced. According to him, the growing protests by students across the country underline the need for a comprehensive review of the system and a return to a more equitable admission process.
Stalin Questions NEET’s Original Objectives
Sharing his views on X on Thursday, Stalin said the medical entrance examination had not delivered on its three key promises: reducing academic pressure on students, preventing the commercialisation of education, and improving the quality of medical admissions. Instead, he claimed that the examination had altered the learning environment by shifting students’ focus from classroom education to private coaching institutes.
He maintained that the concerns surrounding NEET are rooted in the structure of the examination itself rather than isolated procedural issues. Referring to recent developments, Stalin said they had reinforced long-standing criticisms raised by his party regarding the entrance test.
Student Demonstrations Gain National Attention
Stalin also pointed to the ongoing protests by students in New Delhi, describing them as an important signal that policymakers should not ignore. He said the demonstrations should serve as a reminder for the Centre to reconsider its approach and place greater trust in state governments when shaping education policies.
According to Stalin, the voices of students have now reached a national audience, bringing renewed focus to the debate surrounding medical admissions. He argued that the concerns expressed by protesters deserve serious attention and called for meaningful action instead of temporary measures.
DMK Reiterates Long-Standing Opposition
A day earlier, Stalin had expressed support for the students protesting in the national capital. In another message posted on X, he reiterated that the Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (DMK) has consistently opposed NEET since its introduction, claiming the examination was vulnerable to large-scale irregularities.
He stated that the party had repeatedly warned about potential issues associated with the examination and believed those concerns had become increasingly relevant over time. Stalin said the present situation had strengthened the arguments previously made by the DMK against the current admission system.
Demand for Abolition at the Centre of Protests
Stalin further asserted that the demand to abolish NEET should remain the primary focus of the ongoing protests being held at Jantar Mantar in New Delhi. He argued that removing the examination altogether is the only long-term solution capable of addressing the concerns raised by students and education stakeholders.
Highlighting Tamil Nadu’s historical commitment to social justice, Stalin said the state has consistently advocated policies aimed at ensuring equal access to education. He referred to the state’s legacy in advancing constitutional reforms linked to social justice and maintained that ending NEET aligns with those principles.
Concluding his remarks, Stalin repeated his appeal to the Union Government to withdraw the examination and adopt an admission framework that, in his view, would better protect students’ interests while respecting the role of individual states in higher education.