Tamil Nadu Moves Supreme Court Against President’s Refusal of NEET Exemption Bill

Context:

• Tamil Nadu has approached the Supreme Court of India challenging the President’s refusal to grant assent to a State Bill seeking exemption from NEET for medical admissions.

• The move escalates an ongoing Centre–State constitutional dispute over legislative powers and the role of the President in State legislation.

Key Highlights:

Nature of the Dispute

• The contested Bill sought to:

  • Exempt Tamil Nadu from the National Eligibility cum Entrance Test (NEET).

  • Allow continuation of State-based medical admissions.

• The President of India declined assent, triggering:

  • A constitutional impasse

  • Judicial intervention by the State

State Government’s Arguments

• Tamil Nadu contends that:

  • NEET disadvantages students from rural and underprivileged backgrounds.

  • The exam undermines social justice and equity in access to medical education.

• The State argues that:

  • Education and public health are closely linked to State policy priorities.

  • The refusal of assent violates federal principles.

Constitutional Issues Involved

• Raises questions on:

  • Scope of Presidential assent under the Constitution

  • Judicial review of executive discretion

• The refusal has reopened debate on:

  • Whether the President can indefinitely withhold assent

  • The balance between Union authority and State autonomy

Centre–State Relations Dimension

• The case adds to broader tensions between:

  • Elected State governments

  • Central institutions acting on Union advice

• Highlights concerns over:

  • Use of constitutional offices to stall State legislation

  • Impact on cooperative federalism

Judicial Significance

• Supreme Court’s ruling could:

  • Clarify limits on President’s discretionary powers

  • Set precedent on assent-related deadlocks

  • Influence future disputes involving State Bills on Concurrent List subjects

Social Justice Implications

• The outcome directly affects:

  • Medical aspirants from economically weaker and marginalised sections

  • State’s ability to design affirmative education policies

• Reopens debate on:

  • Merit vs equity in national entrance examinations

UPSC Relevance (GS-wise):

GS 2 – Polity

• President’s role in the legislative process

• Federalism and Centre–State relations

• Judicial review of constitutional authorities

GS 2 – Social Justice

• Access to higher education

• Equity implications of national-level competitive exams

Prelims Focus:

• Procedure for Presidential assent

• Constitutional position of NEET

• Supreme Court’s jurisdiction in Centre–State disputes

Mains Enrichment:

• Analyse whether the President’s refusal of assent can undermine State legislative autonomy.

• Discuss NEET in the context of social justice, federalism, and uniform standards in education.