With the Supreme Court clearing the National Eligibility Entrance Test (NEET) for medical entrance, State health officials are involved in consulting legal experts even as opposition strongly brews against it in Tamil Nadu.

Health Department sources here said that legal option would work out since Tamil Nadu Regulation of Admission in Profession Courses Act 2006 can nullify NEET regulation. The Health Secretary and other senior officials from the Department have rushed to New Delhi regarding the next course of action.

“The Act has legal option to overrule the NEET. We are trying to explore it”, a senior official from the Director of Medical Education, said.

It may be noted that Tamil Nadu had abolished the common entrance test for MBBS and BDS courses since 2007 and admissions were being made based on Plus-Two results.

The official added that introduction of NEET in any name or manner would adversely affect the interests of students from weaker sections / rural areas as it infringes upon the State’s right to determine the admission policies in medical educational institutions in Tamil Nadu.

“As the Supreme Court ordered that NEET should be held on May 1 and July 24, students especially in the rural areas are not prepared for the entrance exams”, the official added.

Even Christian Medical College (CMC) Vellore, which has started the admission process for MBBS, said that admissions are subject to the orders of Supreme Court. “We are discussing the next course of action”, an administration official of CMC, said.

Meanwhile, echoing similar views, all political parties in Tamil Nadu, including the ruling AIADMK and the Opposition DMK and PMK, have taken strong objection to the Apex Court ruling.

All the leaders said that Centre should take steps to exempt Tamil Nadu from the NEET.