Archive · 21 Aug 2026
Vijay Raises NEET Exemption, Delimitation Safeguards At Southern Meet
Tamil Nadu Chief Minister Vijay attended a meeting of leaders from southern Indian states.
He asked the central government to let Tamil Nadu avoid NEET for medical admissions.
He said school marks would give rural and poorer students a fairer chance.
He also discussed plans to redraw parliamentary constituencies through delimitation.
Southern states worry that this could reduce their share of seats because their populations have grown more slowly.
Vijay said states should not lose political influence because they successfully controlled population growth.
He asked for a legal promise protecting their percentage of representation.
He also called for cooperation on drug abuse, coastal issues and the blue economy.
Tamil Nadu Chief Minister Vijay sought exemption from NEET for medical admissions in the state.
He proposed using Class 12 marks to fill MBBS, BDS and AYUSH seats.
Vijay urged safeguards against southern states losing parliamentary representation after delimitation.
He said states successful in controlling population growth should not be penalised politically.
He also requested interstate cooperation on drug abuse, the blue economy and coastal security.
- Who
- Tamil Nadu Chief Minister Vijay raised the demands with Union Home Minister Amit Shah.
- What
- He sought a Tamil Nadu exemption from NEET and safeguards for southern states during delimitation.
- When
- At the Southern Zonal Council meeting on Thursday; it was Vijay’s maiden appearance at the meeting.
- Where
- At the Southern Zonal Council meeting in India.
- Why
- He said NEET disadvantages rural and financially weaker students, while population-based delimitation could reduce the parliamentary representation of southern states.
- Main demands
- Tamil Nadu’s exemption from NEET and protection of southern states’ parliamentary representation.
- Medical admissions proposed
- MBBS, BDS and AYUSH seats filled using Class 12 marks.
- Delimitation concern
- Southern states fear losing representation if constituencies are redrawn based on population.
- Requested safeguard
- A legislative assurance that no state’s percentage share of parliamentary representation would decline.
- Political party
- Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam, led by Vijay.
- Additional cooperation sought
- Interstate action on drug abuse, the blue economy and coastal security.