The Central Government on Friday approved an ordinance to defer implementation of the National Eligibility cum Entrance Test (NEET) for State Governments and their affiliated institutions by a year, so that students are provided with enough time to prepare. This will bypass the Supreme Court’s decision to hold the National Eligibility-cum-Entrance Test (NEET), a common test for admission to medical and dental courses. The Ordinance is now sent for approval of President of India, Pranab Mukherjee, for it to come into effect.
The Ordinance will permit the State Government to conduct their own entrance test this year. It was also made clear that private medical colleges and deemed universities cannot conduct their own entrance exams and have to select students through NEET.
The Supreme Court on April 28, allowed NEET to be held in two phases. The first phase of NEET, All India Pre-Medical Test (AIPMT), was held on May 1. Students were given an opportunity to appear for NEET-2 on July 24 in case they had not applied for NEET-1. It was further ruled that NEET will be conducted in by the Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE) in two languages.
To Read Supreme Court’s ruling, click here
