Following the arrest of two individuals in Maharashtra for allegedly offering to manipulate NEET-UG 2025 scores in exchange for bribes, Tamil Nadu Chief Minister MK Stalin launched a scathing attack on the examination system. He described NEET (National Eligibility cum Entrance Test) as a “morally corrupt procedure” that prioritizes money over merit.
According to the CBI, one of the accused, Sandeep Jawahar Shah, promised to alter students’ scores for around ₹87.5 lakh per candidate, with the goal of securing admission to government medical colleges.
“NEET Is Not NEAT,” Says Stalin in Strong Statement
In his statement, Stalin said the case only reinforces Tamil Nadu’s long-standing opposition to NEET. He criticized the system as being deeply flawed, full of irregularities, and damaging to the dreams of students from underprivileged backgrounds. “Yet another case that proves NEET isn’t about merit. It’s only about the market. #NEETisnotNEAT,” he said.
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He added that NEET was never a fair exam system and has become a tool for profit-making, rather than one that evaluates genuine academic performance.
Criticism Directed at AIADMK and Centre
Stalin didn’t stop at condemning NEET and the National Testing Agency (NTA); he also targeted AIADMK for their silence. He accused them of aligning with the BJP and attending political events but failing to speak up on issues affecting Tamil Nadu’s youth.
He said, “They sit like showpieces in RSS-BJP conferences but won’t speak to their masters about this issue.” Stalin also blamed the previous AIADMK government for reintroducing NEET, which disrupted the state’s unique admission process.
Tamil Nadu’s Ongoing Battle Against NEET
The Tamil Nadu government has long opposed NEET, arguing it disadvantages students from rural, economically weaker, and marginalised backgrounds. In April, Stalin chaired an all-party legislators’ meeting after the Centre denied the state’s request to exempt its students from the exam — a meeting boycotted by AIADMK and BJP.
The DMK-led state government has committed to fighting legally for an exemption and to restoring what it sees as a fair and inclusive admission process.