Tamil Nadu Government to Withdraw Cases Against Students Over Anti-NEET Protests

Chennai, Aug 2026 : The Tamil Nadu government has decided to withdraw all cases registered against students who participated in protests against the National Eligibility-cum-Entrance Test (NEET), School Education Minister Rajmohan announced on Sunday.

The decision was taken following directions from Chief Minister C. Joseph Vijay and is expected to provide relief to students who faced police action and legal proceedings during demonstrations against the medical entrance examination across the state.

In a post on X, Rajmohan said the government had decided to withdraw cases registered against students in connection with anti-NEET protests. He added that further details regarding the procedure and the cases covered under the decision would be announced separately.

The announcement comes amid renewed protests against NEET in several parts of the country. Students, youth organisations and various political groups have raised concerns over the examination system and demanded changes, arguing that the existing process creates difficulties for students from disadvantaged backgrounds.

Tamil Nadu witnessed several demonstrations as part of the latest wave of protests. Rallies, flash protests and other forms of agitation were organised at different locations across the state.

In Chennai, student activists staged a continuous protest at Balan Illam, the state headquarters of the Communist Party of India. Demonstrations were also reported from other parts of Tamil Nadu, with protesters seeking changes to the medical admission system and reiterating opposition to NEET.

At some locations, police intervened after protesters blocked roads as part of their demonstrations. Several students were detained during the protests, while police registered cases in connection with some of the agitations.

The state government’s decision is expected to pave the way for the withdrawal of criminal proceedings against students booked during the demonstrations. Authorities are likely to identify and review cases registered by police stations across Tamil Nadu before beginning the formal process of withdrawal.

Tamil Nadu has remained one of the strongest voices of opposition to NEET over the years. Successive governments, political parties and student organisations in the state have argued that a centralised entrance examination can put students from rural areas, state-board schools and economically weaker sections at a disadvantage.

The issue has also remained politically significant in the state, with the government repeatedly seeking exemption from NEET for Tamil Nadu and calling for greater flexibility in the medical admission process.

The latest move to withdraw cases against protesting students is being viewed as an effort to prevent students from facing prolonged legal proceedings over their participation in demonstrations.

The government is expected to issue a detailed order specifying the number of cases to be withdrawn, the students covered by the decision and the legal procedure involved.

The move could also provide relief to families who have been dealing with police cases arising from the anti-NEET protests. It is expected to reinforce the state government’s position that students participating in peaceful democratic protests should not face long-term legal consequences for raising concerns over an examination system that directly affects their educational future.