CM Vijay reiterates Tamil Nadu's opposition to NEET at meeting with Nilekani

Chief Minister C Joseph Vijay told Nandan Nilekani's examination reforms panel that Tamil Nadu wants NEET abolished. The state said Class 12 marks should determine admissions to medical and other higher education courses.New Delhi,Nov 5, 2026 17:42 ISTTamil Nadu Chief Minister C Joseph Vijay on Wednesday reiterated the state government's opposition to the National Eligibility-cum-Entrance Test (NEET), during a meeting with Nandan Nilekani, chairman of the Union government's High-Powered Task Force on examination reforms, at the Secretariat.The state government told the panel that admissions to medical and other higher education courses should be based on Class 12 examination marks rather than NEET or similar entrance examinations, according to an official release.The meeting was attended by other members of the task force, including IIT-Madras Director V Kamakoti, former Union Education Secretary Anita Karwal and EkStep Foundation CEO Shankar Maruwada.The government also referred to the unanimous resolution passed by the Tamil Nadu Legislative Assembly on August 11, 2026, opposing NEET. Reiterating its position, the state recommended the abolition of NEET and similar examinations for admission to medical and other courses. The meeting comes at a time when the Centre is reviewing the country's examination system following concerns over examination security and irregularities in the conduct of competitive tests.The Union government constituted the six-member High-Powered Task Force in July 2026, under Nilekani's chairmanship, to recommend comprehensive reforms in public examinations, including those conducted by the National Testing Agency (NTA).PANEL GETS EXTENSION, RECEIVES OVER 50,000 SUGGESTIONS In the latest development, the Centre has extended the tenure of the Nilekani-led task force until January 2027, giving it additional time to complete consultations and finalise its recommendations. The panel has received more than 50,000 suggestions from students, parents, teachers, academic institutions, subject experts and examination-conducting bodies.The task force, which was initially expected to submit its report by October 2026, has been examining measures to strengthen examination security, improve institutional accountability and make the testing process more transparent.One of the major issues under consideration is the proposed transition of NEET-UG from the existing pen-and-paper format to computer-based testing (CBT). Although the Centre had earlier announced plans to introduce the online format from 2027, recent reports indicate that a complete transition could take longer, with infrastructure requirements and concerns raised by states still being examined.The examination format for 2027 has not been conclusively settled.The proposed reforms also include strengthening question-paper security, creating secure digital question banks and improving examination infrastructure. A parliamentary standing committee on education has separately recommended a phased transition to computer-based testing, including the establishment of at least 1,000 government-owned testing centres across the country.The task force is also examining the use of technology, strengthening the NTA's institutional framework, improving accessibility for candidates from different regions and backgrounds, and safeguarding student well-being.The Centre has said the exercise aims to establish a robust, secure, transparent and equitable public examination system. The panel is expected to submit its recommendations by January 2027.- Ends