Vijay wants NEET scrapped after paper leak controversy — here’s his alternative

The cancellation of the NEET-UG 2026 examination following an alleged paper leak has once again triggered political opposition to the national-level medical entrance test in Tamil Nadu, with Chief Minister Vijay urging the Centre to abolish NEET.

The National Testing Agency (NTA) cancelled the NEET (UG) 2026 exam held on May 3 after a Rajasthan Special Operations Group (SOG) investigation reportedly found a "guess paper" matching more than 100 actual questions.

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Vijay cites repeated irregularities

Reacting to the development, Vijay said this was not the first time the examination process had come under scrutiny.

"In 2024, the question paper was leaked and FIRs were registered across six States and transferred to the CBI… a high-level Committee of Experts under Dr K Radhakrishnan, former Chairman of ISRO, submitted 95 comprehensive recommendations for reforms. Despite all this, within two years, another paper leak has occurred and the examination has been cancelled," he said in a statement.

He also referred to what he described as "conclusive proof of flaws and structural flaws in a national level exam".

Tamil Nadu's long-standing opposition to NEET

Tamil Nadu has consistently opposed NEET since its introduction, arguing that the examination system disadvantages students from rural and economically weaker backgrounds.

The state government has maintained that students from government schools, Tamil-medium institutions and vernacular backgrounds are placed at a disadvantage compared to urban and English-educated candidates.

Reiterating the state's stand, Vijay said, "The Governments of Tamil Nadu, has been consistently and unanimously opposing NEET since its very inception. The introduction of NEET has severely disadvantaged the students from rural areas, government schools, Tamil medium backgrounds, and socio-economically disadvantaged families.

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The Government of Tamil Nadu reiterates the State long pending demand to abolish NEET and permit the States to fill all seats under the State quota in MBBS, BDS, and AYUSH courses on the basis of Class 12 marks."

Legal and political battle continues

Tamil Nadu's resistance to NEET has also seen legal action in recent years. Last year, former Chief Minister MK Stalin had sought exemption from NEET through a Bill, which was later rejected by the President.

In November, the state government moved the Supreme Court challenging that decision.