Archive · 17 Nov 2025
Tamil Nadu Challenges President's NEET Exemption Bill Refusal in Supreme Court
Tamil Nadu is asking the highest court in India to review a decision made by the President.
The President did not agree to a law that Tamil Nadu's government wanted to pass.
This law would stop students in Tamil Nadu from having to take a tough national test called NEET to get into medical school.
Instead, they wanted to use their regular school grades.
The state says the President's decision was made too quickly and without good reasons.
They feel it's unfair because NEET is different from what they teach in their state schools.
They also believe NEET helps rich students more and makes it hard for students who are the first in their family to go to college.
Tamil Nadu hopes the court will say the President's refusal was wrong or at least make them look at it again.
Tamil Nadu has filed a Supreme Court petition against the President's refusal to assent to its 2021 NEET Exemption Bill.
The Bill aims to exempt Tamil Nadu students from NEET and use Class XII marks for medical admissions.
The state argues the refusal was mechanical, unconstitutional, and violates federalism.
Tamil Nadu contends NEET disadvantages students, fuels coaching industry, and favors repeaters.
The state seeks a Supreme Court declaration that the refusal is unconstitutional or reconsideration of the bill.
- Who
- Tamil Nadu government
- What
- Filed a petition in the Supreme Court challenging the President's refusal to grant assent to the NEET Exemption Bill.
- When
- Saturday, November 16, 2025 (date of filing); Bill passed September 2021.
- Where
- Supreme Court of India
- Why
- The state argues the President's refusal was mechanical, lacked reasons, violated federalism, and hindered state admission powers. They also cite concerns about NEET's suitability and impact on students.
- Bill Name
- Tamil Nadu Admission to Undergraduate Medical Degree Courses Bill, 2021
- Bill's Objective
- To exempt Tamil Nadu students from NEET and revert medical admissions to Class XII marks.
- Bill Status
- Passed by Tamil Nadu Assembly; President refused assent.
- Date of Filing in Supreme Court
- Saturday
- Legal Argument on Refusal
- Assent denied mechanically on Union government advice without reason, creating constitutional impasse.
- State's Concerns about NEET
- Differs from state syllabus, fuels commercial coaching, favors 'repeaters' over first-generation learners.
- State's Plea to Supreme Court
- Declare refusal unconstitutional, deem bill assented, or send back for reconsideration.
Sources
Tamil Nadu Goes To Top Court Against President Not Clearing NEET Exemption Bill
Tamil Nadu Seeks SC Intervention on Bill to Replace NEET with Class 12 Marks
Tamil Nadu govt moves SC against President’s withholding of NEET exemption Bill
