Presidential Assent Rejected For Tamil Nadu’s Anti-NEET Bill, CM Stalin Tells Assembly – News18

Last Updated:April 04, 2025, 12:01 IST

Tamil Nadu Chief Minister MK Stalin informed the Assembly that the President has rejected the state’s Bill seeking exemption from NEET.

Tamil Nadu Chief Minister M. K. Stalin informed the State Assembly on Thursday that the President has rejected the state’s Bill seeking exemption from the National Eligibility-cum-Entrance Test (NEET). The Bill, aimed at making medical admissions based solely on Class 12 marks, was passed by the Tamil Nadu Assembly in 2021 and re-adopted in 2022 after initial objections from the Governor.

While speaking in the Tamil Nadu Legislative Assembly about the NEET examination, Chief Minister M. K. Stalin said, “After the implementation of the NEET system, medical dreams have become unreachable for rural students who lack access to coaching. NEET has favoured urban students who can afford coaching classes. After the DMK came to power, a high-level committee led by Justice A. K. Rajan provided recommendations based on public opinion gathered from across Tamil Nadu. Following this, an all-party meeting was held, and a Bill against NEET was passed for the second time in the Tamil Nadu Assembly and sent to the President for assent through the Governor.”

“Despite the Tamil Nadu government providing all necessary clarifications through various ministries, the Union government has now rejected the exemption from NEET,” announced Stalin in the Assembly.

CM Stalin described this decision as a “dark chapter in federalism”, accusing the Centre of disregarding the will of the Tamil Nadu people and the resolutions of the State Assembly.

He further stated that the fight against NEET would continue and that the Tamil Nadu government would take the next steps to challenge the Centre’s decision.

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“The Union government may have rejected Tamil Nadu’s request, but our fight to abolish the NEET system is far from over. As the next step, we will consult legal experts on the lawful measures we can take to challenge this decision,” said Chief Minister M. K. Stalin in the Assembly.

He further announced that an all-party meeting would be held at the Secretariat on the evening of 9 April to discuss the future course of action. The Chief Minister urged all leaders of legislative parties to participate in the meeting.

“On behalf of the lakhs of students and parents in Tamil Nadu who aspire to pursue medical education, the state government is committed to taking all necessary legal steps to realise their dreams,” CM Stalin affirmed.