Mandatory Submission Of NEET Score Card For KEAM Admissions Must Be Specified In Prospectus: Kerala High Court

The Kerala High Court recently directed the Commissioner of Entrance Exam (CEE) and the State and Central Governments to make specific mention in the prospectus about the mandatory submission of NEET (National Eligibility cum Entrance Test) scorecard for admission vide Kerala Engineering Architecture Medical (KEAM) entrance examination. 

Justice P.V. Kunhikrishnan observed that while it may be improper to intervene in the admission process, the concerned authorities had to make it clear in the prospectus that the NEET scorecard should also be submitted to be admitted through KEAM. 

"When an admission process is going on, it is not proper on the part of this Court to interfere in the admission process... But I make it clear that respondents shall make specific mention in the prospectus in future regarding the uploading of NEET score card."

The Court issued the above direction while considering the plea of an applicant who was aggrieved by the non-inclusion of her name in the final category list of KEAM 2023. 

The petitioner had averred that since the prospectus did not stipulate that the NEET Score Card had to mandatorily be submitted, the non-inclusion of her name in the final category list of KEAM 2023 was illegal. The petitioner had sought the inclusion of her name as the last name in the existing rank list, without disturbing the same. 

When she approached the High Court earlier, the Court had directed the CEE to consider and pass appropriate orders within a week from the date of receipt of the copy of the judgment.

Accordingly, the CEE considered the matter and rejected the same on the ground that since the first phase allotment for admission to MBBS and BDS Courses had already been published, the petitioner could not be permitted to submit the NEET Score Card afresh, as the same would disrupt the allotment process, and cause hardship to other candidates taking part in the process. The authority added that the same would result in non-compliance with the counselling schedule published by the National Medical Commission (NMC), as per which, the admission process ought to be completed before 30th September 2023. 

The petitioner challenged the afore decision of the CEE in the present plea. 

The Court in this case was of the view that since the admission process was ongoing, it would not be appropriate on its part to interfere in the process. It thus dismissed the plea, while directing the respondents to make specific mention in the prospectus in future regarding the uploading of the NEET scorecard. 

The petitioner was represented by Advocate Jestin Mathew. Deputy Solicitor General of India S. Manu and Government Pleader P.G. Pramod appeared on behalf of the respondent authorities. 

Case Title: Zulu Haris v. Union of India & Ors. 

Citation: 2023 LiveLaw (Ker) 440 

Case Number: WP(C) NO. 28000 OF 2023

Click Here To Read/Download The Judgment