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Centre Defers NEET-SS Exam Pattern Changes To 2022-2023 After Supreme Court Rap
Srishti Ojha
6 Oct 2021 10:42 AM IST
NEET-SS 2021 will be held as per the existing pattern, Centre told the Court.
Faced with harsh criticism from the Supreme Court over the eleventh-hour changes brought to the NEET-SS 2021 pattern, the Central Government on Wednesday told the Court that the revised pattern will be implemented only from next year.The Additional Solicitor General Aishwarya Bhati told the Supreme Court today that the NEET-SS 2021 will be held as per the existing pattern.The modified...
Faced with harsh criticism from the Supreme Court over the eleventh-hour changes brought to the NEET-SS 2021 pattern, the Central Government on Wednesday told the Court that the revised pattern will be implemented only from next year.
The Additional Solicitor General Aishwarya Bhati told the Supreme Court today that the NEET-SS 2021 will be held as per the existing pattern.
The modified pattern will be given effect to only from the academic year 2022-2023.
"In deference of your lordships observations & interest of students, the Centre has decided that the revised scheme will be implemented from 2022. The present exam will be held based on 2020 scheme", the ASG told the bench as the matter was called today morning.
The bench disposed of the petitions challenging the changes made to NEET-SS 2021 pattern, recording the submission made by the ASG.
"The learned ASG Bhati for the Union of India submits that decision has been taken by the Union Govt in consultation with NBE,NMC that with regard interests of student who would've commenced preparation for NEETSS-2021 that the modified pattern shall be given effect from academic year 2022-2023.
Since the grievances sought to be raised has been fulfilled, in circumstances, the petitions filed under Article 32 are disposed of. We Clarify since the Union of India has taken a decision to hold NEET- SS scheduled for November 2021 on the basis of erstwhile pattern which held the field, it is not necessary for court to decide to validity of pattern for 2022-23. That issue is kept open", the bench stated in the order.
The bench noted that as per the revised pattern, 100% questions for the super specialty entrance will come from the feeder category of general medicine. However, as per the pattern prevailing from 2018-2020, 60% of the questions were from the super specialty course which the student opted and 40% questions were from the feeder categories.
"For 12 super specialties, 100% questions are from general medicines. The entire examination is going to be only be on general medicine. The logic seems to be, general medicine is the largest pool, and tap them to fill the seats. That seems to be idea. And see the prejudice caused to the studies.Previously they got 40% questions from the feeder courses but now they would get 100% questions from General Medicine", Justice Chandrachud said.
The bench, also comprising Justices Vikram Nath and BV Nagarathna, observed that they were getting the impression that this has been done only with the intention of ensuring the filling up of vacancies.
"Seats are vacant are never in government colleges. It's always in Private.We have a surmise, that the seats in govt colleges are not lying vacant. It is a reasonable surmise. It appears that the entire haste is for filling the vacant seats", Justice Chandrachud said.
"The interest of students is far higher than that of the institutions. Of course, private institutions have made investments. But we have to balance. Students are going to be the torchbearers of the future", the judge added.
At one point, Justice Chandrachud even went to the extent of saying that the bench is getting the impression that medical education and medical regulation has become a business.
"The impression we get is, the medical education has become a business, medical regulation has also become a business.That's the tragedy of medical education in this country", Justice Chandrachud said.
"Earlier, a candidate who had studied anesthesia would also have got some questions from it. Now all questions are from general medicine. What this does is privileging students who have done general medicine at the cost of all other feeder specialties?", the judge asked.
When the NBE's counsel replied that this has been done on the basis of advice of experts, Justice Chandrachud remarked, "Experts are also subject to Article 14".
"The fact that the seats remain vacant- whose concern is that? That is the concern of management and private colleges. Should that be at the cost of students?", Justice Chandrachud further asked.
"What was the hurry. You have an examination pattern which had been going on from 2018 to 2020. Yes, you are an expert body, we agree..but have some concern for the students", the judge commented during the hearing, which lasted for nearly 2 hours.
The bench urged the Union and the National Board of Examinations to consider forcing the changes from next year only, after making adequate arrangements.
"We will still give you time to put your house in order. We will hear it tomorrow. But if you are showing obduracy, the arms of the law are strong", Justice Chandrachud told ASG Bhati and Senior Advocate Maninder Singh(who appeared for the NBE).
