#NEET: SC says 'NO' to separate Entrance Tests by Private Medical Colleges [Read Today's Order]

In a huge disappointment to Private Medical colleges, deemed universities and associations the Apex Court today, has categorically told them, that they will not be allowed to hold their own undergraduate medical and dental entrance exams and will have to strictly comply with National Eligibility-cum-Entrance Test (NEET) 2016-17. With regard to the question of admission to State Medical colleges, the Centre has sought time to consult it with the states, which the Court granted.

“We have already said this. One: There shall be NEET. Two: No private colleges or associations will be permitted to have their own exams. Three: States will be allowed to conduct their exams after we consider what the Solicitor-General has to say on it on Monday,” Justice Dave orally observed during the hearing. The Bench agreed with submission of Medical Council of India that private colleges should not be allowed to conduct their own exams and fall in line with NEET

The lawyers for private colleges contended that if private medical colleges are compelled to adopt NEET, they will be left with no option but to withdraw the 50 per cent reservation of seats annually provided to students, mainly from poor backgrounds, from the State rank lists.

“Give us some time. We are having meetings in the next two days with the States. They want to resolve this issue,” the Solicitor General replied to the query by the bench in relation to conduct of separate entrance exams for admissions to State government colleges.

Last month, a Five Judge Constitution Bench of Supreme Court of India , had recalled its 2013 Judgment which declared Medical Council of India’s (MCI) and Dental Council of India’s (DCI) notification for holding common entrance test called National Eligibility Entrance Test (NEET) for MBBS, BDS and post-graduate medical courses is ultra vires the Constitution. On April 28^th, Supreme Court of India has ordered to conduct the National Eligibility Cum Entrance Test (NEET) 2016 in Two Phases. The first phase will be conducted on 1st May and Second phase will be on 24th July.

Live Law has extensively covered the Supreme Court proceedings on the issue of NEET.Also read a column on Live Law by Dr.V.V.L.N. Sastry:The Careless ‘Unneat’ Supreme Court Order on NEET; why is the Supreme Court of India not rendering natural justice? Another article on this issue by Dr. FaizanMusthafa and ApoorvaMandhani can also be read on Live Law.

Read the order here.