Centre says NEET ensures uniformity
A single test was envisaged with the sole objective to provide quality health care for all citizens.
New Delhi: The Supreme Court on Thursday indicated that it will consider exempting states from the applicability of the National Eligibility-cum-Entrance Test (Neet), to be held on July 24.
However, justifying Neet, Solicitor General Ranjit Kumar said it will ensure uniform standards in medical education. A single test was envisaged with the sole objective to provide quality health care for all citizens.
Though the bench stated it was willing to exempt states, it said that all private and deemed universities or association of private medical colleges will not be permitted to have their Cet and that they must fall in line with the Neet for this academic year.
The bench gave the suggestion to the SG to respond after hearing arguments on a batch of petitions from various states and private medical colleges association seeking stay of the Neet order insofar as its applicability to them is concerned for the academic year 2016-17.
The bench also asked the Medical Council of India and the Central Board of Secondary Education (which conducts Neet) whether all students, including those who had participated in the Neet-1 held on May 1 can be given a second chance on condition that students who write for the second time must give up one of the marks.
Earlier, Mr Ranjit Kumar informed the bench that since Neet-1 was conducted only for 15 per cent seats, those who did not appear or those had applied but did not write the test might be allowed to participate in the July 24 Neet-2 examination.
When the bench wanted to know whether even those who had taken the Neet-1 be given a second chance, the SG said if second chance was given then about 30 lakh students will participate in Neet-2 for the 85 per cent seats.
Additional Solicitor General Pinky Anand for CBSE said if all students are allowed then it will not be possible to stick to the schedule. The bench, however, said the schedule can be revised and admission process can be extended beyond September 30.
The ASG said she would take instructions as to how the schedule be revised and inform the court on Friday. Senior counsel Vikas Singh, appearing for the MCI said all private medical colleges and deemed universities must be asked to admit students on the basis of Neet-2.
The MCI can come out with a scheme to enable poor students to obtain loans from banks to pay their fees and interests of private colleges can thus be protected.