DMK Member of Parliament Dayanidhi Maran called for the abolition of the National Eligibility cum Entrance Test (NEET) during a Lok Sabha debate on Tuesday. Speaking against the Public Examination (Prevention of Unfair Means) Amendment Bill, 2026, Maran argued that the proposed changes failed to address the core problems associated with NEET, particularly its impact on students in Tamil Nadu.
He emphasized that Tamil Nadu has consistently opposed NEET since its inception, accusing the central government of ignoring the state's concerns. Maran highlighted the tragic toll the exam has taken, stating that 26 students in Tamil Nadu have died by suicide related to NEET pressures.
NEET and Tamil Nadu's Longstanding Opposition
NEET is a nationwide medical entrance exam introduced to standardize admissions to undergraduate medical courses across India. However, Tamil Nadu has been a vocal critic of the exam, arguing that it disadvantages students from state boards and rural backgrounds. The state's leaders claim that NEET favors those who can afford extensive coaching, thereby deepening educational inequalities.
Dayanidhi Maran reiterated these points, stating that NEET was designed against first-generation learners and has failed to improve healthcare outcomes despite its decade-long existence. He questioned whether the exam has led to better doctors, reduced infant mortality, or improved rural healthcare, concluding that the answer is no.
Key Facts Highlighted by Maran
- Approximately 22 lakh students appear for NEET annually.
- Out of these, about 12 lakh qualify the exam.
- There are only around 1.39 lakh undergraduate medical seats available nationwide.
- 26 students in Tamil Nadu have died by suicide linked to NEET pressures.
- NEET has been marred by multiple paper leak scandals, including in 2015, 2018, 2024, and 2026.
- Restrictions on MPs’ use of social media platforms have coincided with government actions against alleged exam leaks.
Why Maran Believes NEET Should Be Scrapped
Maran argued that the exam's fundamental flaws remain unaddressed by the current legislative amendments. He said the trauma faced by the majority of students who do not secure medical seats is immense and that the exam system perpetuates a narrow, stressful competition.
He also criticized the government's handling of exam-related controversies, including recent paper leaks and social media restrictions on MPs discussing these issues. Maran pointed out that while Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s Facebook post about paper leaks was temporarily removed and then restored, MPs like himself and Supriya Sule faced limits on WhatsApp broadcasts, which he suggested was an attempt to stifle dissent.
Additionally, Maran alleged that Meta’s smart glasses were used to record protesting students, leading to police visits to their homes, raising concerns about surveillance and freedom of expression.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: What is NEET and why is it controversial?
A: NEET is a national medical entrance exam used for admission to undergraduate medical courses in India. It is controversial because critics argue it disadvantages students from state boards and rural areas, favors those who can afford coaching, and has been linked to student stress and suicides.
Q: Why does Tamil Nadu oppose NEET?
A: Tamil Nadu opposes NEET because it believes the exam undermines the state’s education system, disproportionately affects first-generation learners, and has not improved healthcare outcomes despite its decade-long implementation.
Q: What issues have been raised about exam security?
A: NEET has faced multiple paper leak scandals over the years, including incidents in 2015, 2018, 2024, and 2026. These leaks have raised questions about the exam’s integrity and the government’s ability to safeguard the process.
