Karunanidhi opposes common entrance test for admissions to medical courses

DMK chief M Karunanidhi on Monday criticised the Centre's move to introduce a single common entrance exam for admissions to medical courses, and said his party will oppose such a move in "any form".

Responding to the Health Ministry's approval to a proposed amendment to the Indian Medical Council (IMC) Act to allow the Council to hold a national-level entrance exam for admission to medical colleges and deemed universities, Karunanidhi said his government had scrapped such a test in Tamil Nadu in 2007-08.

The government had later adopted an admission system based on a candidate's Class XII marks, he said adding this had benefited the rural students.

"The DMK government had scrapped entrance examination to remove the differences between the urban and rural students as regards the available facilities (to prepare for the exam)," he said in a statement.

"Further, such a national entrance examination would amount to "infringing in state's rights," Karunanidhi said adding "I would like to make it clear that (DMK) will oppose it in any form."