TVK Calls for Abolition of the National Medical Entrance Exam

Thalapathy Vijay on NEET has reignited the debate over medical admissions in India, with the Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam (TVK) chief calling for the complete abolition of the National Eligibility-cum-Entrance Test (NEET). The actor-turned-politician said his party is not merely protesting against the alleged irregularities in the examination but is demanding that the entrance test itself be scrapped.
TVK has also called for full authority over medical education and admissions to be returned to State governments, maintaining that its position on the issue is firm and non-negotiable.
TVK Demands Complete Abolition of NEET
In a statement, Thalapathy Vijay said the controversy surrounding the alleged NEET paper leak has once again exposed concerns about the current examination system.
According to the party, the solution is not limited to investigating irregularities but requires a complete overhaul of the admission process. TVK argued that medical admissions should be handled by individual States rather than through a centralised entrance examination.
The party maintained that restoring State control over medical education would create a more equitable and transparent admission system.
The demand comes at a time when the alleged NEET-UG paper leak has become one of the biggest political issues in the country.

Opposition parties have been demanding accountability from the Union government and seeking the resignation of the Union Education Minister. Student groups have also organised protests in several parts of the country, calling for reforms in the examination process.

The controversy has intensified discussions about the credibility of national-level entrance examinations and the need for stronger safeguards.

The National Testing Agency (NTA) conducted the NEET-UG examination on May 3, with nearly 2.3 million candidates appearing for the medical entrance test.
Days after the examination, allegations emerged that the question paper had been leaked in Rajasthan. Reports suggested that a set of probable questions had circulated among certain candidates nearly a month before the examination.
According to the allegations, 120 chemistry questions in the circulated material reportedly matched the actual examination, including the answer options. Following the controversy, the examination was cancelled, and a fresh test was conducted on June 21.
The party said it would not make promises merely for electoral gains and emphasised that its commitment to ending NEET is based on policy rather than political convenience.
The statement is widely seen as an indirect criticism of the ruling DMK in Tamil Nadu, which had promised to abolish NEET before the 2021 Assembly elections.
TVK maintained that its position remains consistent and applies to both immediate and long-term solutions concerning medical admissions.
Call for Greater State Autonomy
A key demand raised by Vijay's party is the transfer of greater powers over medical education to State governments.
TVK argued that States are better equipped to design admission systems that reflect regional educational priorities and ensure equal opportunities for students.
The party believes that decentralising medical admissions would reduce administrative challenges and strengthen public confidence in the admission process.
Thalapathy Vijay on NEET has added a significant political dimension to the ongoing debate over medical entrance examinations in India. By demanding the complete abolition of NEET and advocating greater autonomy for States in medical education, the TVK chief has positioned his party firmly in the national discussion on education reforms. As the controversy over the alleged NEET-UG irregularities continues, the demand for structural changes in the admission process is expected to remain a major political issue.