MBBS: No common test for now

The proposed common entrance test for admission to around 31,000 MBBS and 11,000 MD seats in all government and medical colleges across the country may not take off this year.

The Union Ministry of Health and Family Welfare has asked the Medical Council of India (MCI) to immediately withdraw its notification to hold a common test as prior approval had not been taken from the centre.

Deputy Secretary in the Health Ministry S Singh told The Indian Express that the ministry issued a letter to MCI on January 3. A meeting will now be held on January 12 with all state secretaries on the issue,Singh said.

Story continues below this ad

In the letter to the chairman of the MCIs Board of Governors,Singh pointed out that while the body was empowered to make regulations,it was also required to get prior approval from the Central government.

According to Section 33 of the Indian Medical council Act (1956),the MCI was empowered to make regulations with the Centres approval.

It has come to our notice that the Board of Governors has amended regulations on Graduate Medical Education-1997,Post Graduate Medical Education-2000 and notified common entrance test for admission to graduate and post-graduate courses. As required by rules,no previous approval of the central government has been taken for amending the regulations, Singh stated in the letter,directing the MCI to withdraw the notifications.

The MCI decision was important as from this year,there would have been just one entrance test each for MBBS and MD courses offered by 271 medical colleges 138 government-run and 133 under private managements.

Story continues below this ad

These colleges together offer over 31,000 seats for MBBS courses and another 11,000 for post-graduate courses.

Admissions to these colleges are now based on pre-medical entrance tests conducted by state boards,CBSE and the armed forces.

Tags:
Medical Council of India

Though the EC’s media invitation did not specify the subject, officials said the briefing would pertain to the SIR schedule. (File)

EC to announce dates for nationwide Special Intensive Revision tomorrow

India2 hr ago

The EC will announce the schedule for the Special Intensive Revision of electoral rolls in multiple states, including Assam, Kerala, Puducherry, Tamil Nadu, and West Bengal, on Monday. The exercise, which hasn't been conducted in two decades, aims to update the rolls and eliminate duplicate entries and foreign nationals.

View all shorts

Live Blog

PHOTOS