The Supreme Court dismissed a plea challenging the Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (DMK) party’s signature campaign in Tamil Nadu schools against the National Eligibility Cum Entrance Test (NEET).
A bench comprising Justices Surya Kant and KV Viswanathan stated that students today are well-informed to see through such campaigns against national-level examinations. Justice Surya Kant remarked that such a campaign against a national level examination with central planning will not affect students, adding that it is not a matter for Article 32.
National Eligibility Cum Entrance Test (NEET) is the pre-medical entrance exam for candidates seeking admission to government and private medical colleges in India. The campaign in question is known as NEET Vilaku, Nam IIakku, meaning our goal is to abolish NEET. The campaign was initiated by the DMK led by Tamil Nadu Youth Welfare and Sports Development Minister, Udayanidhi Stalin. Reportedly, signatures collected for the campaign are to be presented to President Draupadi Murmu.
The aforesaid campaign was objected by advocate ML Ravi who approached the Madras High Court in November 2023 with a petition against the campaign. Nonetheless, he withdrew the petition before the High Court after the bench was inclined to dismiss it with costs. Following, Advocate Ravi then moved the present plea before the Supreme Court.
The public interest litigation (PIL) petitioner contended that NEET is an established examination and a minister cannot protest against it. The PIL mentioned that the ruling party in the State was engaging in political activities in schools without parental consent. It added that such campaigns may adversely affect student’s motivation to prepare for the entrance exams.
Notably, the Supreme Court also seized a plea by the DMK-led State of Tamil Nadu challenging the validity of NEET. Tamil Nadu has contended that the NEET is violative of federalism since it takes away the power of the States to admit students to government seats in medical colleges.
In addition, the original suit says that the NEET exam is violative of right to equality under Article 14 of the Constitution since it has adversely affected the students in Tamil Nadu, especially those from rural areas and students of State-board affiliated schools who cannot afford to go to entrance coaching centres.