Tamil Nadu moves SC: President's NEET assent denial unconstitutional
Tamil Nadu moves SC: President's NEET assent denial unconstitutional
Tamil Nadu asks Supreme Court to deem President's refusal to assent to the 2021 anti-NEET Bill unconstitutional, arguing it ensures fair medical admissions.
Tamil Nadu on Saturday filed a petition in the Supreme Court challenging the President's March 4, 2025 denial of assent to the Tamil Nadu Admission to Undergraduate Medical Degree Courses Bill, 2021. The state asked the court to treat the refusal as unconstitutional and to deem the Bill as having received assent, allowing Tamil Nadu to exempt its medical admissions from NEET.
The Bill, passed unanimously by the Tamil Nadu Legislative Assembly, seeks to insulate the state from NEET for admission to undergraduate medical courses. The Governor had referred the Bill to the President for consideration under Article 201, and the state contends that the President did not provide reasons for withholding assent.
Tamil Nadu argues that the President's refusal has created a grave constitutional impasse, raising questions about the interpretation of Article 201, Article 254(2) in cases of repugnance to central laws, and the state's primary duty under Article 47 to safeguard public health by ensuring equitable access to medical education.
The state is represented by senior advocate P. Wilson and, in the case presented to the Supreme Court, by senior advocate Mukul Rohatgi and advocate Misha Rohatgi. The government contends that the NEET framework tilts admission advantages toward affluent, urban, CBSE-educated students who can afford extensive private coaching, while depriving bright students from rural or government school backgrounds of opportunities.
If the court accepts Tamil Nadu's position, the ruling could have broad implications for how states pursue autonomy in education policy and how federalism operates in the admission process for professional courses. The petition seeks a judicial declaration that the President's refusal was unconstitutional and a deeming assent to the 2021 Bill, enabling the state to proceed with its exemption from NEET admissions.
The move underscores a larger debate over how national entrance exams interact with state curricula and public health goals, especially in a country with diverse educational ecosystems and stark regional disparities. The Supreme Court’s eventual decision is likely to be watched closely by other states contemplating similar pathways in higher education access and equity.
Cover image source: Tamil Nadu moves Supreme Court against President’s refusal to grant assent to anti-NEET Bill 🔗
