Chennai, Aug 8:
Terming the Veterniary Council of India (VCI)’s decision to hold NEET for Veterinary courses as inappropriate as veterinary education was intrinsically linked to the agricultural and rural economy of each State, Tamil Nadu Chief Minister Vijay on Friday sought Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s intervention and urged him to advise the VCI to reconsider its decision and allow admissions to BVSc and AH degree course based on Plus-2 marks.
In a Demi-Official letter to Mr Modi, he said VCI has prescibed holding CET for Bachelor of Veterinary Science and Animal Husbandry (BVSc and AH) degree courses in all veterinary colleges and allocation of
seats through a centralized counselling process under the provisions of the Indian Veterinary Council Act, 1984. In the alternative, where such an examination is not conducted, States have been advised to adopt the merit list of NEET (UG)-2026 for admissions from the academic year 2026-27 onwards.
Noting that this proposal gives rise to serious concerns for Tamil Nadu as Veterinary education occupies a unique place in the State’s developmental priorities, he urged Modi to advise the VCI to review its decision and permit admissions to the BVSc and AH course to continue on the basis of Higher Secondary (10+2) examination marks, or such admission criteria as may be determined by the respective State Governments.
He said the Prime Minister’s consideration of this request will help preserve equitable access to veterinary education, protect opportunities for students from rural and socially disadvantaged backgrounds, and
uphold the legitimate policy choices of States within our federal framework.
Observing that Vet course was not merely a professional course but the foundation of our efforts to strengthen animal husbandry, improve livestock health, support dairy development and secure the livelihoods of millions of rural households, Vijay said the students admitted today become the veterinarians who will serve our farmers, villages and livestock sector in the years to come.
Pointing out that for decades Tamil Nadu has followed a system of admission to professional courses based on performance in the Higher Secondary Examination, he said this model has consistently produced competent professionals while ensuring that deserving students from rural areas, Government schools, economically weaker sections and socially disadvantaged communities receive a fair opportunity to pursue higher education.
Since it has served as an effective instrument of social justice, regional equity and inclusive development, Tamil Nadu abolished the Common Entrance Examinations for professional courses from the academic year 2007-08, he said, adding, the State has also consistently maintained that centralized entrance examinations, including NEET, have the effect of creating significant entry-level barriers for many meritorious students, particularly those from rural and disadvantaged backgrounds.
Averring that the National Testing Agency (NTA) has been facing several issues in the conduct of the NEET examinations and owing to certain irregularities, it was recently compelled to cancel
the examination and conduct a re-examination, Vijay said further, in 2024, allegations of a question paper leak led to a CBI probe,.
“In view of the above, it would not be appropriate to introduce the NEET examination for admissions to Veterinary courses. The experience of recent years has reinforced concerns that success
in such examinations is often influenced by differential access to specialised coaching, financial resources and opportunities for repeated attempts, rather than reflecting the merit demonstrated through school
education alone”, the Chief Minister reasoned.
Extending a similar framework to admissions for veterinary education is likely to produce comparable outcomes. It is also pertinent to note that veterinary education is intrinsically linked to the agricultural and rural economy of each State. The demand for veterinary professionals, the profile of students entering the discipline and the developmental priorities of the livestock sector vary considerably
across the country, he saod.
In this context, it would be appropriate to leave the determination of admission criteria for BVSc and AH courses to the respective State Governments. Such an approach would respect the federal framework, enable States to evolve admission policies suited to their socio-economic realities and educational systems, while continuing to uphold academic standards and ensuring the availability of qualified
veterinary professionals, Vijay said and sought Modi’s personal intervention on the matter.