President Withholds Assent: President Droupadi Murmu has withheld assent to Tamil Nadu’s Anti-NEET Bill.
Bill’s Purpose: The Bill, passed in 2021, sought exemption from NEET for undergraduate medical admissions in Tamil Nadu, favoring Class 12 marks.
Reasoning for the Bill: Tamil Nadu argues NEET disproportionately affects disadvantaged students.
Union Government’s Role: The President’s decision was based on the recommendations of the Union government.
State Government’s Reaction: Chief Minister M.K. Stalin criticized the Union government’s decision, accusing it of disregarding the State’s explanations.
Next Steps: Tamil Nadu government will consult legal experts and hold a meeting of legislature party leaders on April 9th to discuss the next course of action.
History of the Bill: The Bill was initially returned by the Governor for reconsideration, then re-adopted by the Assembly and sent to the Union government.
Tamil Nadu’s Stance on NEET: The state believes NEET undermines social justice by disadvantaging rural and underprivileged students who cannot afford coaching.
Previous Admission system in Tamil Nadu: Admissions in medical education were based on Class XII marks. This system was introduced by Kalaignar [M. Karunanidhi].
Alternative Preference: Tamil Nadu favors admissions based on Class 12 marks to ensure equal opportunities for all, especially those from rural backgrounds.
