NEET is morally corrupt, money-driven, says MK Stalin, questions opposition silence

Tamil Nadu Chief Minister MK Stalin has once again come down heavily on the National Eligibility cum Entrance Test (NEET) and the National Testing Agency (NTA), following a controversy unearthed by the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) in Maharashtra.

The CBI arrested two for alleged manipulation of NEET UG 2025 scores in exchange for money. According to the probe agency, one Sandeep Jawahar Shah, falsely claimed to have access to NTA officials, had offered to alter scores of ineligible candidates for hefty sums.

Reacting to the developments, Chief Minister Stalin called NEET a “corrupt procedure” and said the latest case only reinforced the state’s opposition to the exam. “Yet another case that proves NEET isn’t about merit. It’s only about the market. #NEETisnotNEAT, and we have every reason to say that,” Stalin said in a statement.

Taking a dig at the AIADMK, he added, “They have time to sit like showpieces in RSS-BJP conferences but not to speak to their masters about this issue.” Stalin also accused the NEET system of being morally corrupt, riddled with confusion and disparity from exam paper distribution to the release of results.

The accused in the case reportedly demanded Rs 90 lakh per candidate, promising government medical college admissions in return. After negotiations, he allegedly agreed to accept Rs 87.5 lakh from each candidate.

The Tamil Nadu government has long been a vocal critic of NEET, arguing it disadvantages students from rural and marginalised backgrounds.

MK Stalin chaired an all-legislators meeting in April this year after the Centre rejected state’s plea to exempt its students from the NEET examination, which was boycotted by the AIADMK and the BJP.

The ruling DMK and its allies committed to pursuing legal remedies to secure the state’s exemption from the centralised medical entrance test.

Speaking at the gathering, Stalin said, “NEET entrance exam will affect the students living in poverty.” He accused the previous AIADMK government of reintroducing NEET, thereby disrupting the state’s medical admission process.

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