Will Oppose NExT Exam Like NEET: Tamil Nadu Chief Minister MK Stalin

Tamil Nadu Chief Minister MK Stalin on Sunday (26 November) said that the goal of obtaining exemption from NEET for the state would be achieved with the support of the people, even if those in authority say that it cannot be cancelled.

He added that just like NEET, the Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (DMK) government would oppose the proposed NExT exam which is likely to be used as a final year exam for MBBS students, a licensing exam and for admissions to post-graduate courses in medicine.

The remarks were made in a virtual address to a state-level function of the Doctors Association for Social Equality.

According to a report by The Hindu, he said, “Our goal of exemption from NEET would be accomplished with the support of the people, irrespective of those in authority claiming that the NEET cannot be cancelled.”

“The Union government has undertaken an arbitrary step to take over the admission of students to medical seats in the single window system, which is under the control of the State government. This conference is being held against the actions of the BJP government, which is acting against the State’s rights and medical infrastructure. This is not only your protest. But, ours! Tamil Nadu’s! A protest for State rights!”

In a letter to the Prime Minister in June, Chief Minister Stalin had written that his government opposed the NExT exam.

He stated that the NEET had "adversely impacted the equitable, school education based selection process and its contribution to the strengthening of the public health system" and the introduction of NExT would "exacerbate this trend and cause an irreparable damage to the interest of rural and socially disadvantaged students and the public institutions under State Governments.”

The DMK is carrying out a signature campaign against NEET, with the target of obtaining 50 lakh signatures in 50 days.

In October, the Union government set up a seven-member committee to study the implementation of the exam for MBBS students of the 2020 batch.