CM Vijay reiterates Tamil Nadu’s opposition to NEET before Centre’s task force

Tamil Nadu Chief Minister C. Joseph Vijay with the Nandan Nilekani-led high-powered task force on examination reforms, at the Secretariat in Chennai on November 4, 2026. Photo Credit: Special Arrangement

Tamil Nadu Chief Minister C. Joseph Vijay on Wednesday (November 4, 2026) reiterated the State government’s position before the Nandan Nilekani-led high-powered task force on examination reforms that it was opposed to NEET or similar examinations for admission to higher education courses and instead, it favoured using Class XII public examination marks as the basis for admission.

The task force, constituted by the Union government to recommend measures to make the country’s examination system leak-proof and technology-driven, and its members met Mr. Vijay at the Secretariat in Chennai.

According to an official statement, during the meeting, Mr. Vijay expressed the State government’s stand that it was opposed to the conduct of NEET or similar examinations for admission to higher education courses and that admissions should be based solely on Class XII marks.

During the meeting, V. Kamakoti, Anita Karwal and Shankar Maruwada, who are members of the task force, Minister for School Education Rajmohan, Chief Secretary M. Sai Kumar and other officials were present.

Published - November 04, 2026 04:06 pm IST