NEET 2013 scheduled on May 5

The Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE) has finally announced the date for the first-ever National Eligibility-cum-Entrance Test (NEET) for admission to MBBS and BDS courses across the country. The Medical Council of India (MCI) and The Dental Council of India (DCI) have notified that they will be conducting the exam on May 5, 2013, reported Business Standard. 

NEET will be introduced to get rid of multiple tests and promote merit in admission process. Hence, there will be no AIPMT or EAMCET medical exam next year. However, it is not yet decided whether NEET will be applicable to other medical-allied courses such as veterinary, agriculture, horticulture, nursing courses etc. Andhra Pradesh students will have to take NEET even though the state government is yet to make an official statement to this effect. (Read more)

The common entrance will allow class XII students to sit in a single examination conducted for admission to 355 recognized medical colleges in the country. The board will generate a single merit list for MBBS and BDS seats across the country, which will have state-wise merit list apart from OBC, minorities and SC/ST quotas.

MCI has also finalised the syllabus for NEET after evaluating various state syllabi and those prepared by CBSE, NCERT and COBSE, taking into account the significance of different areas in medical education. (Read more)

More than 10 lakh students are expected to take the NEET 2013 next year. The test will be conducted in English, Hindi, Telegu and Bengali among other vernacular languages. (Read more)

Other interesting reads:

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- Maharashtra govt and AICTE approved colleges to adopt new JEE