SC rules for one medical test, in two phases this yr

The Supreme Court ruled on Thursday that admission to MBBS and BDS courses in the 2016-17 session would be through the National Eligibility Entrance Test (NEET), thus scrapping dozens of tests that have already been conducted or were scheduled to be held in the coming weeks.

However, a bench of Justices A R Dave, Shiva Kirti Singh and A R Dave approved the proposal of the government, CBSE and the Medical Council of India to treat the All India Pre-Medical and Pre Dental Entrance Test (AIPMT), scheduled for May 1, as Phase I of NEET. Nearly 6.6 lakh candidates are to appear in AIPMT.

Students who have not applied for AIPMT would be given a fresh opportunity to appear in Phase II of NEET to be held on July 24. Additional solicitor general Pinky Anand, appearing for the Centre and CBSE, told the Supreme Court bench that both phases of the National Eligibility Entrance Test (NEET) would be standardised and final results declared by August 17.

The Medical Council of India also backed NEET but its counsel, senior advocate Vikas Singh and advocate Gaurav Sharma, told the bench that CBSE should be directed to expedite the process and declare the results early to ensure that the session starts from August 1.

But the bench accepted the schedule proposed by CBSE to conduct the two phase exams and dismissed the plea of various state governments and private colleges which contended that NEET could not be imposed on them. Almost all top legal guns, appearing for various state governments and private colleges, opposed NEET but failed to convince the court.

“In view of the submissions made on behalf of the respondents (Centre, CBSE, MCI), we record that NEET shall be held as stated by them. We further clarify that notwithstanding any order passed by any court earlier with regard to not holding NEET, this order shall operate,“ the bench said and asked all colleges to accept NEET result as basis for admitting students. The court passed the order on a PIL filed by NGO Sankalap Charitable Trust seeking direction to the Centre and CBSE to conduct NEET as single-window test for admission. Ad vocate Amit Kumar, appearing for the NGO, submitted that multiple tests for admission must be done away with.

The bench said NEET would not be applicable for admission in PG courses as the exam has already been conducted.

The court asked the Centre to give wide publicity across the country on NEET being enforced to ensure that students, who had not applied for AIPMT, get a chance to take Phase-II test. Thursday's decision is aimed at weeding out malpractices in admissions, such as capitation fees and discretionary criteria, used by private colleges to indulge in profiteering by circumventing a merit-based selection system for allotment of MBBS, BDS and PG seats.

3 states oppose test, say system doing just fine

Proponents of the MCI’s NEET say the exam will ensure a more meritorious pool of students becoming doctors. However, politicians and policy makers, especially in states like Kerala, Maharashtra and Tamil Nadu, cite their record in providing quality medical care and assert that their admissions system is doing just fine. “Our doctors who come from rural background undergo rigorous training along with the city-bred students. Most of these students are posted at primary health centres in rural areas. NEET will give an edge to city students who may not be willing to go into rural areas,“ said former selection panel secretary Dr Sheela Grace Jeevamani, who was in-charge of student admission in Tamil Nadu. Health officials in Kerala and Maharashtra have said that their health indices have been good because of the quality of health education and doctors the system produces. TNN

TN prepares for battle as pvt colleges wait & watch

The Tamil Nadu government has decided to appeal against the SC verdict on NEET for all medical admissions, which it says undermines its powers in tailoring medical admissions to suit the state's needs. But if the Centre has its way, NEET, which insists on 100% merit-based admissions, will turn the private medical education sector -known for capitation fees -on its head. NEET will let the state universities retain the 69% quota and allow private colleges and deemed universities admit 15% of its students under the NRI quota. But NEET will insist that all medical colleges admit students based on the merit list it releases, said MCI VC Dr C V Bhirmanandam adding, “No university or college can deny admission to a student who has a higher rank unless they are eliminated because of reservation or because he she can't afford fees in a private college,“ he said. TNN

(ToI)