Now, Class 10th passouts eligible for entering Ayurveda course, New regulations call for NEET Pre-Ayurveda

New Delhi: With the publication of the new National Commission for Indian System of Medicine (National Examinations for Indian System of Medicine) Regulations, 2023, now students can pursue pre-Ayurveda courses even after passing their tenth standard exam.

These new regulations, which were published in the official Gazette on 20.12.2023, mentioned that there shall be a separate National Eligibility-cum-Entrance Test for admission to Pre-Ayurveda courses.

After clearing the test consisting of multiple-choice questions, the candidates obtaining a minimum of fifty percent marks shall be eligible for admission to Pre-Ayurveda. 

Such candidates can pursue two years of Pre-Ayurveda, four and half years of Bachelor of Ayurvedic Medicine and Surgery, and one year of compulsory rotatory internship to complete the undergraduate Ayurveda course.

The details of NEET Pre-Ayurveda course, as mentioned in the new Regulations, are as follows:

National Eligibility-cum-Entrance Test - Pre-Ayurveda:

The new NCISM Regulations mentioned that the NEET for Pre-Ayurveda Entrance Test for Bachelor of Ayurvedic Medicine and Surgery having the course structure 2+4.5+1 (two years of Pre-Ayurveda, four and half years of Bachelor of Ayurvedic Medicine and Surgery and one year of compulsory rotatory internship) years, shall be conducted by the designated authority.

Eligibility Criteria: 

A candidate passed tenth standard from State Board or Central Board of Secondary Education or Indian Certificate of Secondary Education or any other approved Boards conducting higher secondary education in 10+2 pattern, shall be considered eligible for appearing National Eligibility-cum-Entrance Test - Pre- Ayurveda.

Further, the new regulations mentioned that a candidate passed from State Board or Central Board or any other approved Sanskrit Boards, that are equivalent to the tenth standard examination of State Board or Central Board of Secondary Education or Indian Certificate of Secondary Education or any other approved board shall be considered eligible for appearing National Eligibility-cum-Entrance Test-Pre-Ayurveda.

Time of Examination: 

Ordinarily, the National Eligibility-cum-Entrance Test - Pre- Ayurveda shall be conducted during the month of May or June every year, mentioned the regulations.

Question Type: 

The test shall be in the pattern of multiple-choice questions in online or offline, as the case may be, and be conducted at centres as specified by the Commission from time to time.

Cut-off Marks: 

It has been mentioned in the regulations that candidate shall obtain minimum of fifty percent marks to become eligible for admission to Pre-Ayurveda.

Counselling & Exam Method: 

As per the new regulations, the Pre-Ayurveda counselling committee constituted by the Commission shall conduct counselling and seats shall be allotted as per the guidelines issued by the Commission from time to time.

Apart from this, the regulations further mentioned that the method and mode of conduction of Pre-Ayurveda Entrance Test, publication of results, counselling and allotment of seats shall be as per the guidelines issued by the Commission from time to time.

"The admission to Pre-Ayurveda shall be on all India common merit list, through counselling conducted by Pre-Ayurveda counselling committee and such merit list shall be applicable for that particular academic session only," it added.

Technical Committee for National Eligibility-cum-Entrance Test Pre-Ayurveda: 

The tech panel shall consist of-

(i) Controller of Examinations – Chairperson;

(ii) Nominee from designated authority or affiliating University – Member;

(iii) Member, Board of Ayurveda – Member;

(iv) Member, Medical Assessment and Rating Board for Indian System of Medicine – Member;

(v) Two Experts –Ayurveda – Members; and

(vi) Deputy Controller of Examinations - Member Secretary.

Terms of reference:

(i) the term of the committee shall be for two successive examinations or re-constitution of the committee by the Commission, whichever is earlier;

(ii) the Committee shall meet as required;

(iii) the Committee can co-opt any expert member as per the requirement and with the approval of the President, Board of Ayurveda;

(iv) the Committee shall specify the syllabus and develop a ‘blue print’ of the question paper for every examination;

(v) the Committee shall identify experts and moderators for question paper setting;

(vi) the Committee shall coordinate with the assigned agency for conducting examination;

(vii) the committee shall prepare required information brochures and guidelines; and

(viii) the Committee shall ensure the confidentiality of the matters connected with the examinations.

Also Read: Separate NEET for BAMS, BUMS, BSMS; Separate NEET for Sowa-Rigpa under NCISM Regulations 2023