Age cap on NEET: Young have more grasping ability, says MCI

NEW DELHI: A student below 25 years is capable of undertaking medicine course because it requires rigorous study, which sharp young minds can absorb easily, the Medical Council of India (MCI) has told the Supreme Court.

MCI – the regulatory body for medical profession and education in India – put forth this argument in defence of the CBSE’s notification fixing 25 as the upper age limit for candidates taking the National Eligibility cum Entrance Test.

The order also caps the number of attempts a student can take NEET to three. The notification has been challenged before the top court by a student.

In an affidavit filed before the top court, the MCI said a candidate aspiring to study medicine needs to have a certain level of the maturity for undertaking such a technical course.

MCI referred to other countries that prefer only young students in professional courses and contended a young student would be able to grasp the teaching and training with more ease.

“It is imperative that these young students are given the maximum opportunity to make the most out of the teaching and training imparted in the medical college and also enable them to develop skills which would help them in becoming great doctors,” the MCI affidavit read. The limit would ensure a level playing field and curb unhealthy competition. Several students keep appearing in the entrance examination year after year in the hope of getting a seat in a reputed medical college.