Tamil Nadu Chief Minister Calls for NEET Exam Cancellation Amid Paper Leak Controversy
Demand for NEET Cancellation
On Wednesday, Chief Minister C. Joseph Vijay of Tamil Nadu urged the central government to abolish the NEET-based admission process. He requested that states be allowed to fill MBBS, BDS, and AYUSH seats based on 12th-grade marks under the state quota. This appeal follows the cancellation of the NEET-UG 2026 exam due to allegations of a question paper leak. Vijay expressed that the cancellation of the exam scheduled for May 3 has shattered the hopes of millions of medical aspirants across the nation, highlighting it as clear evidence of flaws and structural issues in the national examination system.
Investigation and Arrests
The National Testing Agency (NEET) had organized the NEET-UG 2026 exam at 5,432 centers, including 31 cities in Tamil Nadu, with approximately 140,000 students participating. Following investigations into the paper leak allegations, law enforcement agencies decided to cancel the exam. Referring to the 2024 paper leak incident, Vijay noted that FIRs were filed in six states and later handed over to the CBI. He also mentioned a high-level expert committee led by former ISRO chairman K. Radhakrishnan, which was formed following Supreme Court directives and proposed 95 recommendations for reforms.
Impact on Students
Vijay reiterated the Tamil Nadu government's long-standing demand to eliminate NEET and allow states to fill all seats in MBBS, BDS, and AYUSH courses based on 12th-grade scores. He emphasized that this examination has adversely affected rural students, those from government schools, Tamil medium students, and economically disadvantaged groups.
Ongoing Protests and Political Reactions
The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) has arrested five individuals in connection with the NEET-UG paper leak case and is conducting searches across various locations in the country. Protests have erupted over the exam's cancellation, with calls for the resignation of Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan intensifying. One of the arrested suspects in Jaipur claimed that influential individuals were being protected while ordinary citizens faced harassment.
Legal Action and Political Allegations
The All India Medical Association Federation (FAIMA) has filed a petition in the Supreme Court, alleging 'systemic failure' in the conduct of the NEET-UG 2026 exam and requesting reforms in the examination system. The CBI has apprehended suspects from various locations, including Mangilal Binwal, Vikas Binwal, and Dinesh Binwal from Jaipur, Yash Yadav from Gurugram, and Shubham Khairnar from Nashik. Authorities have indicated that further inquiries are being conducted with several other suspects, who may also face arrest. Political blame games have ensued, with Congress and Trinamool Congress alleging that some of the arrested individuals have ties to the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP).