The Chief Minister wrote to the Prime Minister regarding BVSc and AH admissions.

Text of the letter addressed to the Hon'ble Prime Minister of India, Thiru Narendra Modi, from the Hon'ble Chief Minister of Tamil Nadu, Thiru S. Joseph Vijay, urging that admission to the BVSc & AH degree course be conducted solely on the basis of Higher Secondary examination marks or as per the admission criteria determined by the respective State Governments I am writing to draw your urgent attention to an issue of considerable importance concerning admissions to the Bachelor of Veterinary Science and Animal Husbandry (BVSc & AH) degree programme. It has been brought to my notice that the Veterinary Council of India has prescribed the conduct of a Common Entrance Examination for admission to BVSc & AH courses in all veterinary colleges, and allocation of seats through a centralized counselling process, under the provisions of the Indian Veterinary Council Act, 1984. As an alternative, where such a separate 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. This proposal gives rise to serious concerns for the State of Tamil Nadu. Veterinary education occupies a unique place in our developmental priorities. It is 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. The students admitted today become the veterinarians who will serve our farmers, villages and livestock sector in the years to come. For decades, Tamil Nadu has followed a system of admission to professional courses based on performance in the Higher Secondary Examination. 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. It has served as an effective instrument of social justice, regional equity and inclusive development. Tamil Nadu abolished the Common Entrance Examination for professional courses from the academic year 2007-08. The State has also consistently maintained that centralized entrance examinations, including NEET, create significant entry-level barriers for many meritorious students, particularly those from rural and disadvantaged backgrounds. The National Testing Agency (NTA) has been facing several issues in the conduct of the NEET examinations. Owing to certain irregularities, the NTA was recently compelled to cancel an examination and conduct a re-examination. Further, in 2024, allegations of a question paper leak led to an investigation by the Central Bureau of Investigation. 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. 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. In this context, it would be appropriate to leave the determination of admission criteria for BVSc & AH courses to the respective State Governments. Such an approach would respect the federal framework and 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. I therefore request your personal intervention in this matter. I would be grateful if the Veterinary Council of India could be advised to review its decision and permit admissions to the BVSc & AH degree programme 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. I am confident that your kind 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. Released by: Director, Directorate of Information and Public Relations, Chennai-9