SC orders UG NEET this year, PG NEET still in confusion

All eyes were focused towards the Supreme Court today, as the Apex Court sat to decide the fate of National Eligibility Cum Entrance Test this year.

As per the order of the Supreme Court, this year will see a common entrance test for the admission to UG medical courses in the country. The Apex court has directed this to be done in a two phased manner with the first phase to be conducted on May 1 (AIPMT) and the second phase on 24^th July ( for those who are left out of AIPMT) . As per the plan the results will be declared on the 17^th of August with the admission procedure to be completed by 30^th September, 2016.

The decision was facilitated after CBSE as well as MCI gave a green signal with their abilities to conduct the exam this year. It is reported that the government also submitted fresh schedule for examination, which has been approved by the hon’ble court.

The order comes in response to a petition filed by Sankal Charitable Trust, an NGO, asking for directions to hold NEET this year. Prayer was also made to put a stay on the exam that was to be held by CBSE on 1^st May. The petitioner claimed that according to a research conducted by the NGO it was found that as many as 90 entrance examinations are being held by private and government authorities separately which resulted in shelling out lakhs of rupees in taking the examination.

ANI reports that CBSE has proposed that the examination can be conducted in two phases. 6.5 Lakh students can appear in the first phase and 2.5 lakh students can appear in the Second phase. The first phase can be conducted on 1st May and Second phase can be on 24th July. The entire results can be declared on 17th August. The admission Procedure can be completed on 30th September.

The decision has seen opposition from private medical colleges as well as many state governments. The decision to hold the entrance exam through NEET was opposed by states including Tamil Nadu and Association of Karnataka Medical Colleges besides minority institutions like CMC Vellore saying it is illegal and unconstitutional.

While the order is explicit and clear about UG admissions, PG entrances this year remain a query. Most of the PG entrances have already taken place, counselling is about to finish, however, joining is yet to take place. Questions are being raised on the validity of the already done examinations by the private medical colleges, and whether after the current decision, a similar decision will follow suit for PG entrances as well.

Obviously, one can expect that this is creating shivers in the minds of many of those, who have given heavy capitation fee towards entrances for PG at private medical colleges and may fall flat if a similar order follows suit for PG.

Here are some relevant provisions from the order

“

1) AIPMT 2016 to be held on 1st May, 2016 shall be phase I of NEET.

2) Phase II of NEET for the left out candidates shall be held on 24th July, 2016 by inviting applications with fee.

3)Combined result of both the Tests shall be declared on 17th August, 2016.

4)CBSE will provide All India Rank. Admitting Authorities will invite applications for Counselling and merit list shall be drawn based on All India Rank.

5)All associated with conduct of Exam including Central Govt., State Govt., institutions, Police etc. will extend all necessary support to CBSE and permit security measures like use of electronic and communication devices Jammers etc. for timely and fair conduct of the NEET.

6)Any difficulty with regard to implementation of orders of this Court the stake holders may approach this Hon’ble Court.”

“In view of the submissions made on behalf of the respondents, we record that NEET shall be held as stated by the respondents. We further clarify that notwithstanding any order passed by any Court earlier with regard to not holding NEET, this order shall operate. Therefore, no further order is required to be passed at this stage”,said the Bench