SC Remains Committed To NEET [Read Today's Order]

The Supreme Court has the last word on the National Entrance cum Eligibility Test (NEET).

The court on Thursday ruled that counselling conducted by private medical and dental colleges in states will stand nullified and seats can only be filled through NEET.

A five judge bench comprising Justices Anil Dave, AK Sikri, RK Agarwal, AK Goel and R. Banumathi ruled that any counselling has been done by any College or University and any admission to any medical seat has been given so far, such admission shall stand cancelled forthwith and admission shall be given only as per centralised counselling done by the State Government.

The Court was deciding a contempt petition against private deemed medical and dental colleges where admissions were not taking place according to NEET.

A three judge bench of the Court had ruled in April this year that a common entrance for admission to all medical and dental courses in the country through NEET after recalling its 2013 judgment that had declared NEET “illegal” and “unconstitutional” on the ground that it interfered with the right of private, minority and linguistic institutions to admit students.

Bringing back NEET had left many states and private colleges that conduct their own entrance exams unhappy.

The reverse this ruling, the centre brought about  an ordinance in May declaring seats in state government medical colleges and government seats in private medical colleges would not be allotted on the basis of NEET this year.

Even though the court did not stay the ordinance, it hasn't allowed counselling outside of NEET.

However, interests of students and colleges will be taken care of as Additional Solicitor General had assured that no seat will go unfilled and the fresh counseling session will be finished before the September 30th deadline for admissions.

Read the order here.