Tamil Nadu Assembly to pass resolutions opposing NEET, FCRA Amendment Bill
Chennai, August 11
The Tamil Nadu Legislative Assembly is set to pass a resolution urging the Union government to amend relevant central laws and abolish the uniform NEET system for undergraduate medical admissions.
The Tamil Nadu government has said that the NEET system severely affects students studying in Tamil medium as well as those from rural and economically backward backgrounds in accessing medical education, while also raising concerns over the growing dependence on expensive coaching centres and the impact of the examination on students' school education.
The resolution states that unregulated coaching centres charging exorbitant fees for NEET have increased, forcing students to divert their attention from the school curriculum and focus primarily on NEET preparation. It further argues that a single-day entrance examination after 12 years of schooling has become the deciding factor for students' higher education.
The resolution points out that the Tamil Nadu Assembly had unanimously passed Bill No. 43 of 2021, seeking exemption for the state from NEET for admission to undergraduate medical courses. However, the Bill has been kept pending without presidential approval, it said.
The resolution also cites continuous question paper leaks and irregularities in the examination system, stating that NEET-UG 2024 was cancelled and re-conducted, causing immense distress to eligible students and eroding their trust in the examination system. It also refers to student suicides linked to the examination-related distress and concludes that the system must be abolished.
The Assembly will urge the Centre to amend the National Medical Commission Act, 2019, the National Commission for Indian System of Medicine Act, 2020, the National Commission for Homoeopathy Act, 2020, and other relevant laws to discontinue NEET at the national level.
The Tamil Nadu government has proposed that admissions to medical courses in the state be based on Class 12 examination marks.
Separately, the Assembly will pass a resolution opposing the Foreign Contribution (Regulation) Amendment Bill, 2026, in its present form.
The resolution expresses concern over provisions that could allow the government to take over, manage, dispose of or sell assets of charitable organisations following the expiry, non-renewal, refusal, cancellation or surrender of their FCRA registration.
The state Assembly will argue that such provisions could undermine the autonomy of charitable organisations, particularly educational and social welfare institutions run by minorities.
The resolution will urge the Union government to withdraw the Bill in its current form and conduct comprehensive consultations with state governments and stakeholders, including charitable, religious, educational, medical and social organisations.
It will also call for any amendments to safeguard natural justice, proportionality, property rights, legitimate expectation and federalism, while ensuring transparency and accountability in foreign contributions.
Earlier, Tamil Nadu CM Vijay hailed the passing of a resolution on Monday mandating the singing of the State Song 'Tamil Thai Vazhthu' before programmes organised by educational institutions, government offices and other public institutions across the state.
Reacting to the passage of the resolution, Vijay said the move reflected the importance of Tamil language, culture and civilisation and thanked political parties for extending unanimous support to it.
"Tamil is not merely a language; it is a thought-culture-civilisation, and moreover, Tamil is our life; Tamil is our emotion--this is what our Tamil Nadu government has fully realised," Vijay said in a post on X.
"Furthermore, this historic resolution, which upholds and safeguards the antiquity, uniqueness, pride, excellence, and the sentiments of the Tamil people toward the Tamil language, stands as the highest tribute offered to Mother Tamil. This day, on which this resolution has been passed, will endure forever in the history of Tamil Nadu," he added.
— ANI
Reader Comments
Interesting to see how educational policy plays out differently across states. While I understand the concern about coaching centres and language barriers, wouldn't a uniform national exam help maintain standards? I'm curious how other countries handle this - in the US, we have standardized tests like the MCAT for medical school, but students do have multiple attempts. A middle ground might be needed here.
The FCRA amendment is equally worrying. Charitable institutions, especially those run by minority communities, have been doing excellent work in education and healthcare. Giving the government power to seize their assets just because registration lapses is dangerous. This is about protecting our democratic institutions and federalism. Glad TN Assembly is taking a stand on both issues. 👏
I agree with the NEET opposition but let's also think - if we go back to Class 12 marks, won't that just shift the coaching pressure to board exams? State boards have varying difficulty levels. Maybe we need a proper national education commission to discuss, not just one state passing resolutions. But yes, the current NEET system with its leaks and suicides is definitely broken.
Impressed by how politically united Tamil Nadu seems on this - all parties supporting the state song resolution too. It's rare to see such bipartisan consensus anywhere. The cultural pride angle is strong here, and I respect that. Though I wonder if this will actually change anything at the central level, given the political dynamics.
The point about student suicides is heartbreaking. Education should not be a death sentence. My cousin failed NEET twice and the mental toll was immense. While I support this
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