The Tamil Nadu government has challenged the validity of the National Eligibility cum Entrance Test (NEET) conducted for admission to medical courses in medical colleges across the country. The state government has approached the Supreme Court. The petition alleged that the single common entrance test is violative of the principle of federalism. NEET is an entrance exam conducted for admission to undergraduate medical courses like MBBS and BDS. Through this, admission can also be taken for postgraduate courses in government and private medical colleges.

I have alleged that the principle of federalism, which is part of the basic structure of the Constitution, is being violated through exams like NEET. This takes away the autonomy of the states to take decisions regarding education. The petition has been filed through advocate Amit Anand Tiwari.

The Court had upheld this on the grounds that giving admission on the basis of fee-paying ability of candidates, economic exploitation of students, profiteering-commercialization is necessary to stop wrong activities. However, such grounds are not applicable in case of admission to Government seat. This decision applies only to private college seats.