Fact Check: Media posts claiming Biology not required for NEET UG Misleading

The eligibility Condition for NEET-UG has been time and again challenged before the Courts across the country. Issues like admission and selection to MBBS course previously used to be regulated by the erstwhile Medical Council of India through the provisions of the Regulations on Graduate Medical Education, 1997 including the various amendments under Chapter II.

These rules also made it mandatory for the candidates to undergo 2 years of regular/continuous/ coterminous study of the subjects of Physics, Chemistry, Biology/Biotechnology, in Class 11th and 12th with practical, along with English.

Referring to that Rule, NMC mentioned, "The said 2 years study was required to be completed from regular schools and not from open schools or as private candidates. Further, the study of Biology / Biotechnology or any other requisite subject, could not be completed as an additional subject after passing Class 12 th."

However, these rules were challenged before the Delhi High Court bench and they were also quashed by the order dated 11.05.2018 passed in the case of Anshul Aggrawal Vs. Union of India & Ors and judgement dated 17.08.2017 passed in the case of Tanishq Gangwar & Ors. Vs. Union of India & Ors.

In this respect, NMC pointed out that "The aforesaid had a consequential bearing on the candidates seeking admission in Graduate / Primary Medical Courses in Foreign Medical Institutes due to the Statutory Regulations in this regard i.e. the Eligibility Requirement for Taking Admission in an Undergraduate Medical Course in a Foreign Medical Institution Regulations, 2002 & the Screening Test Regulation, 2002."

Due to this, candidates were debarred from appearing in the NEET-UG Test and also their applications seeking Eligibility Certificates were rejected.

NMC Modification:

Earlier this year, NMC granted the Graduate Medical Education Regulations, 2023, which was notified on 02.06.2023. Medical Dialogues had earlier reported that specifying the Eligibility Criteria for NEET-UG, Regulation 11(b) specified that no aspirant shall be allowed to take NEET-UG unless he/she "Has passed 10 +2 (or equivalent) with subjects of Physics, Chemistry Biology/ Biotechnology and English."

Referring to this, NMC in its recent notice mentioned, "Therefore, after the framing of Graduate Medical Education Regulations, 2023 the earlier Regulations on Graduate Medical Education, 1997 including the various amendments stand repealed prospectively."

As per the notice, the issue was again discussed by NMC in its meeting held on 14.06.2023. After detailed deliberations while taking into consideration the New Education Policy, which permits great extent of flexibility in the study of various subjects in Class 12th, NMC decided that the previous approach of the erstwhile Medical Council of India needs to be revisited by permitting candidates who have undertaken study of the requisite subjects (Physics, Chemistry, Biology / Biotechnology along with English) even as additional subjects after passing Class 12 th from duly recognized boards by the concerned Govt.

"Such candidates shall be permitted to appear in NEET-UG Test and resultantly also be eligible for grant of Eligibility Certificate," clarified the Apex Medical Commission.

Mentioning that this modified eligibility criteria shall be applicable retrospectively, NMC further mentioned, "The present decision shall be applicable retrospectively also on candidates whose applications for grant of Eligibility Certificate have been rejected on the grounds contemplated in the present public notice. However, for the purpose of appearing in NEET-UG, candidates who become eligible after the date of the present public notice, shall be permitted to appear in NEET-UG-2024. Further, court cases filed by MCI / NMC, as before any Hon’ble Court, in this regard shall be withdrawn and that the current position with the present public notice shall be explained in all pending litigations filed by candidates, against MCI / NMC, so that the same could be disposed at the earliest."

To view the NMC notice, click on the link below:

https://medicaldialogues.in/pdf_upload/nmc-neet-eligibility-226022.pdf

Also Read: Major Relief: NMC Revises Eligibility Criteria for NEET UG