SC refuses Centers plea to defer NEET-UG

SC has declined the center's plea to defer the first common National Eligibility-cum-Entrance Test (NEET) for all the MBBS courses across the country. NEET-UG has paved the way for its execution in 2012. The SC has embarrassed the Union Government and Medical Council of India (MCI) by rejecting their application and also asked them to withdraw their application.

A bench of Justices H L Dattu and C K Prasad recalled that the common entrance test was formulated on the joint request of the MCI and the health ministry. The bench told to the center's counsel that court could not be the part of this decision. The bench clearly said that, "Either start it or withdraw your application."

The health ministry had moved an application seeking to defer the exam in wake of objections raised by several states. The ministry further claimed that students wanted time to get familiar with the syllabus prescribed by the Medical Council of India (MCI). Maharashtra, Gujarat and Goa showed readiness to join NEET from 2013-14 but AP sought exemption for two years, saying it would join from 2014-15.

Supreme Court has also cleared deck for the Centre and MCI in March, and allowed them to conduct a common entrance test for the MBBS and PG courses. According to an affidavit submitted by CBSE, the online submissions for NEET-UG were to begin from 1st to 16th December, 2011. The test was to be held on May 13, 2012 with results in the last week of June.

Source: Richha Bhatnagar (Shiksha Team)