Tamil Nadu Chief Minister C Joseph Vijay has reaffirmed the state’s opposition to the National Eligibility-cum-Entrance Test (NEET) during a meeting held on Wednesday with Nandan Nilekani, who chairs the Union government’s High-Powered Task Force on examination reforms. The meeting took place at the Secretariat, where the state government expressed its position regarding the admissions process for medical and other higher education courses.

During the discussions, the Tamil Nadu government advocated for admissions to be based on Class 12 examination marks instead of NEET or similar entrance tests. This stance aligns with a unanimous resolution passed by the Tamil Nadu Legislative Assembly on August 11, 2026, which explicitly opposed the implementation of NEET. The Chief Minister’s reiteration of this position underscores the state’s commitment to this cause.

The meeting included other notable members of the task force, such as IIT-Madras Director V Kamakoti, former Union Education Secretary Anita Karwal, and EkStep Foundation CEO Shankar Maruwada. Their collective insights aim to address the ongoing concerns regarding the examination system in the country.

Review of Examination System

The meeting occurs as the Centre reviews the national examination system, prompted by rising concerns over examination security and irregularities in competitive test conduct. The Union government established the six-member High-Powered Task Force in July 2026, under Nilekani’s leadership, to recommend comprehensive reforms in public examinations, including those administered by the National Testing Agency (NTA).

In a recent development, the Centre has extended the tenure of the task force until January 2027, allowing additional time for consultations and the finalisation of recommendations. The panel has reportedly received over 50,000 suggestions from various stakeholders, including students, parents, educators, academic institutions, subject experts, and examination bodies. This extensive feedback is expected to inform the task force’s recommendations.

The task force was initially scheduled to submit its report by October 2026 but has been granted more time to ensure a thorough examination of the issues at hand. One of the significant topics under consideration is the potential transition of NEET-UG from the current pen-and-paper format to a computer-based testing (CBT) approach. Although the Centre had previously announced plans for an online format by 2027, recent reports suggest that the complete transition may take longer due to infrastructure requirements and concerns raised by various states.

Proposed Reforms and Future Directions

The proposed reforms also encompass enhancing question-paper security, establishing secure digital question banks, and improving overall examination infrastructure. A parliamentary standing committee on education has separately recommended a phased transition to computer-based testing, which would include the establishment of at least 1,000 government-owned testing centres nationwide.

In addition to these measures, the task force is exploring the use of technology to strengthen the NTA’s institutional framework. Efforts are being made to improve accessibility for candidates from diverse regions and backgrounds, while also prioritising the well-being of students throughout the examination process.

The Centre has articulated that this initiative aims to create a robust, secure, transparent, and equitable public examination system. The task force is expected to submit its recommendations by January 2027, marking a significant step towards reforming the examination landscape in India.

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