Delhi HC Asks MCI To Decide On A Plea Seeking Exemption From NEET Qualification To Pursue Foreign UG Course [Read Order]

The Delhi High Court last week directed the Medical Council of India to take a decision, in consultation with the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, on a plea seeking eligibility certificate without the prerequisite NEET qualification to a medical aspirant wishing to pursue studies abroad, as the course is scheduled to commence soon in Uzbekistan.

The grievance of the petitioner before Justice V. Kameswar Rao was that she intends to pursue undergraduate medical course from Bukhara State Medical Institute, Uzbekistan, the last date of admission for which is August 20, 2020. According to the petitioner, the eligibility of possessing NEET qualification is a prerequisite for an Indian Citizen who undertakes a medical course in a foreign country. She urged that as the NEET examination in the country is scheduled for September 13, 2020, it may not be possible for her to meet the said eligibility.

"It is noted and also conceded by Mr. Ashish Upadhayay that the petitioner has not approached the authorities with her grievance as raised in the writ petition", recorded the Single Judge.

The petition, by way of relief, prayed for "Mandamus thereby directing the respondents to grant one time exemption to the petitioner as an exception from the requirement of having to clear NEET for admission to Overseas Medical Course in Foreign University for the Current Academic Session i.e. 2020-2021".

"Appropriate shall be, for this Court to dispose of the writ petition directing the Medical Council of India / respondent No.1 in consultation with the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare to consider the writ petition as a representation and dispose of the same within a period of three weeks from today and communicate the decision to the petitioner", ordered the Single Bench, recording the submission of the counsel for the respondents that the direction shall be complied with expeditiously.

According to a March 2019 gazette notification by the Medical Council of India (MCI), the National Eligibility cum Entrance Test (NEET)--the common level entrance exam conducted for admission to medical courses--has been made mandatory for pursuing MBBS courses abroad.

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