Tamil Nadu Chief Minister C. Joseph Vijay on Monday renewed his strong attack on the National Eligibility and Entrance Test (NEET), telling Parliament that the medical test continues to harm the interests of students in the state.Responding to the governor’s speech, Vijay said education policies should help students achieve their aspirations rather than create barriers that make it more difficult for them to access professional courses.His remarks come at a time when NEET is once again in the spotlight. A re-examination was held on June 21 after the previous exam was canceled over allegations of irregularities and question paper leaks, reigniting a debate that has long dominated the educational and political landscape in Tamil Nadu.
Vijay reiterates state government’s stance on NEET
Tamil Nadu has been one of the strongest critics of NEET ever since the exam became compulsory for admission to medical courses. Successive state governments have argued that a single national entrance test disadvantages students from state board backgrounds and benefits those who have access to professional coaching.Reiterating this stance, Vijay said Tamil Nadu’s concerns were still not fully addressed. While he did not announce any new policy measures, his speech made it clear that the state government remains firmly opposed to exams in their current form.The issue has taken on new urgency after reports emerged that two medical aspirants in Tamil Nadu committed suicide within 24 hours of each other. The incidents have reignited concerns about the intense pressure that comes with high-stakes entrance exams.
The number of applicants for the re-examination exceeds 142,000
The latest round of NEET exams has elicited a strong response from students in Tamil Nadu. More than 142,000 candidates took the reexamination in 307 examination centers across the state.Many candidates who spoke after the exam said the physics and chemistry sections were more difficult and time-consuming than the canceled exams. However, biology is often considered relatively easy.The feedback adds another layer to the ongoing debate over the exam’s structure, difficulty level and impact on students.
Chief Minister says language should never be imposed
Apart from NEETs, Vijay also touched on another issue that has had great political and cultural weight in the history of Tamil Nadu – language policy.“Language should not be forced on students and we must unite on issues related to the welfare of Tamil Nadu,” he said in the Assembly.The chief minister believes that students should be free to learn and grow without language coercion. He emphasized the need for political unity on issues affecting the country’s future, and that all parties should work together as long as issues such as 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 battlefield
Vijay insisted that education and cultural issues should be viewed from the perspective of public welfare rather than political competition. He called for a collective effort to safeguard the interests of students and ensure policy decisions meet their needs.While the chief 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 was his comments on NEET and language policy that attracted the most attention.The comments have once again placed two of Tamil Nadu’s most enduring issues – health access and language rights – at the center of public discussion, underscoring how deeply they continue to resonate across Tamil Nadu.
