Tamil Nadu Assembly Urges India to Scrap NEET and FCRA Bill

The Tamil Nadu Legislative Assembly passed multiple resolutions on August 11, 2026, challenging central government policies on medical admissions and foreign funding. The Assembly urged the Government of India to scrap the National Eligibility cum Entrance Test (NEET) for undergraduate medical admissions, proposing that admissions be based instead on Class 12 marks. Health Minister K G Arunraj moved the resolution, arguing that NEET undermines social justice and disproportionately harms rural, economically disadvantaged, and Tamil-medium students by fostering a dependence on expensive coaching centers.

Separately, the Assembly passed a resolution calling for the withdrawal of the Foreign Contribution (Regulation) Amendment Bill, 2026. Moved by Minister Rajmohan Arumugam, the resolution expressed concern that allowing the government to seize or sell assets of charitable organizations could compromise the autonomy of minority-run educational and social welfare institutions. While BJP MLA M. Bhojarajan defended the bill as a tool to prevent anti-national activities, he did not participate in the final vote on the FCRA matter, though he staged a walkout during the NEET proceedings.

Chief Minister Vijay also announced a mandate requiring the singing of the state song, 'Tamil Thai Vazhthu,' at all educational and public institutions. He described the resolution as a tribute to the Tamil language, culture, and civilization.