Tamil Nadu CM M K Stalin Writes to PM Modi, Opposing NEET Mandate for Allied Health Courses
In a significant development, Tamil Nadu Chief Minister M K Stalin has penned a letter to Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Saturday, vehemently opposing the Centre's recent decision to make the National Eligibility cum Entrance Test (NEET) mandatory for admissions to Bachelor of Physiotherapy (BPT) and Bachelor of Occupational Therapy (BOT) courses. This move comes as a direct response to the National Commission for Allied and Health Care Professions (NCAHP) mandating NEET for these programs starting from the upcoming academic year.
Stalin's Concerns Over a Broader NEET Expansion Plan
In his detailed communication, Chief Minister Stalin expressed deep apprehension, stating that the inclusion of BPT and BOT under the NEET umbrella represents merely the initial phase of a more extensive strategy. He highlighted that this could potentially lead to NEET becoming compulsory for all allied and health care courses in the future. "Tamil Nadu has been steadfastly opposing NEET for MBBS admissions and has consistently cautioned about the peril of its extension to other courses. Regrettably, our worst fears have materialized today," Stalin wrote, emphasizing the state's longstanding stance against the national entrance exam.
He further pointed out that recent communications from the Union Health Ministry clearly indicate this step is part of a larger plan to enforce NEET across all Allied Health Courses (AHCs). Stalin described the decision to include BPT and BOT in NEET as "hasty and ad hoc," warning that it would have "multiple deleterious consequences" and should be "withdrawn immediately."
Impact on Students from Economically Weaker Backgrounds
Drawing a parallel with the MBBS admissions scenario, Stalin underscored the adverse effects of introducing NEET. He noted that when NEET was mandated for MBBS, it forced approximately 1.4 lakh students to seek expensive coaching to compete for around 12,000 seats. In contrast, Tamil Nadu offers more than 50,000 seats in allied health care courses, with lakhs of aspiring students hailing from significantly poorer socioeconomic backgrounds compared to MBBS aspirants.
"Compelling these students to incur costs for NEET coaching would constitute a grave injustice," Stalin asserted, stressing the financial burden it would impose on underprivileged families. He argued that such a move would disproportionately affect students from marginalized communities, limiting their access to quality education in the health care sector.
Asserting State Rights Over Education and Health Policies
Chief Minister Stalin also invoked the constitutional framework, reminding that health and education are subjects listed in the Concurrent List, granting both the Centre and states shared jurisdiction. He firmly stated, "It is imperative that admission modalities for Allied Health Courses remain within the purview of the state government." This stance reinforces Tamil Nadu's commitment to preserving its autonomy in shaping educational and health care policies tailored to local needs and demographics.
The letter from CM Stalin to PM Modi marks a critical moment in the ongoing debate over NEET's role in medical and allied health admissions. It highlights the growing tensions between state and central authorities regarding educational reforms and their impact on student welfare. As the academic year approaches, stakeholders across Tamil Nadu and beyond will be closely monitoring the Centre's response to these pressing concerns raised by the state leadership.
