TVK Demands NEET Be Scrapped, Seeks State Control Over Medical Education

Amid the ongoing debate over the National Eligibility-cum-Entrance Test (NEET)

Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam (TVK) on Tuesday reiterated its demand for the complete abolition of the medical entrance examination, asserting that its opposition extends beyond allegations of irregularities. The party also called for states to be granted full authority over education, including medical education.

In a statement issued as student protests over NEET continued in Delhi, TVK said its position on the issue remained “firm and uncompromising”. It argued that the current system should be replaced by one that restores decision-making powers to state governments and urged the Centre to move education from the Concurrent List to the State List of the Constitution.

The party also proposed an interim arrangement if constitutional amendments prove time-consuming. It suggested creating a Special Concurrent List that would temporarily empower states to exercise complete control over education, including admissions and medical education, until a permanent solution is implemented.

Without naming the ruling DMK, TVK criticised parties that, according to it, make promises to abolish NEET for electoral gains without delivering on them. The statement said TVK would never engage in what it described as “fraudulent politics” by misleading voters with unrealistic assurances.

The party maintained that its vision for education policy had already been outlined by its leader, Chief Minister C. Joseph Vijay, who has consistently advocated greater autonomy for states in matters relating to education.

TVK also accused political rivals of attempting to claim credit for issues and movements initiated by others. The remarks came amid a fresh political controversy surrounding rapper Therukkural Arivu, who recently raised anti-NEET slogans outside the Tamil Nadu Secretariat before being detained by police.

Reaffirming its stand, TVK said the long-term solution lies in scrapping NEET altogether and restoring full control over education and medical admissions to state governments, insisting that this remains the party’s unwavering position.