Tamil Nadu's Chief Minister Vijay has officially called for the abolition of the National Eligibility cum Entrance Test (NEET) following a significant paper leak that has caused a national uproar. This demand is not new; it has been echoed by every Chief Minister in Tamil Nadu over the past decade, including Jayalalithaa and MK Stalin, who have argued that NEET disproportionately disadvantages students from rural and economically weaker backgrounds. They contend that the exam favors those with access to costly urban coaching, creating an uneven playing field. The state advocates for admissions based solely on Class 12 marks, which they believe is a fairer assessment of a student's capabilities.

The tragic story of Shanmugam Anitha, a Dalit student who died by suicide after failing to qualify for medical school through NEET, has become a rallying point for the anti-NEET movement in Tamil Nadu. Her case exemplifies the emotional and psychological toll that the exam has taken on students, with at least 14 suicides linked to NEET since its introduction. The recent cancellation of the NEET-UG 2026 exam, which left around 1.4 lakh Tamil Nadu students in limbo, has further fueled the state's opposition, prompting calls for a more equitable system.

Tamil Nadu is not alone in its opposition; several other states, including Andhra Pradesh and West Bengal, have also challenged NEET, with some advocating for state-level exams instead. The ongoing debate over NEET is not merely an educational issue for Tamil Nadu but a broader discussion about social justice and state autonomy in the face of centralized educational policies.