Common medical entrance test: SC says no to separate tests by pvt colleges

[related-post]

The court further asked the CBSE, represented by Additional Solicitor General Pinky Anand, if students who had appeared for the May 1 examination could be allowed to take another test scheduled for July 24.

Solicitor General Ranjit Kumar, appearing for the Centre, requested the bench to allow all such candidates, who had filled up the form for AIPMT but did not sit for the exam, to appear for Phase II of the NEET on July 24.

Kumar said the modalities could be worked out for allowing everybody to sit for NEET II, irrespective of whether they had appeared in the May 1 exam.

The bench then sought responses from the CBSE and the Medical Council of India on whether NEET II could be open to all candidates.

WATCH INDIAN EXPRESS VIDEOS HERE

In his submission, Kumar attempted to dispel the apprehension put forth by Gujarat, Maharashtra and other states on possible prejudice towards vernacular students. Citing the guidelines, he said only those who passed their 10+2 with English are allowed to take the test. “The objective is to maintain international standards and everybody has to have English as the core subject,” he said. He maintained that distribution of seats and reservation norms will be taken up by the states. “States can prepare their own merit list and the admission will be done as per the criteria prevailing in states,” he submitted.

When a counsel asked whether state governments should go ahead with separate exams, the court observed: “We have not stayed the relevant regulations of the states. But NEET is in operation.” The bench will further hear the case on Friday.

For more news on education, click here