Candidates above 25 years can take NEET this year: Top court

The Supreme Court on Friday allowed medical aspirants of over 25 years to take this year’s NEET examination. It has also allowed them to fill online forms for the examination till April 5 on the CBSE’S portal.

A bench headed by justice Dipak Misra asked the CBSE to open its online portal from Friday evening so that the candidates can fill up forms. Authorities have been asked to extend logistical support to CBSE. The exam is scheduled for April 7.

The apex court also restrained high courts from interfering with regard to any litigation per- taining to choosing or allocation of centres. “Be it noted, if any high court has passed any order contrary to the present order, the CBSE shall be bound by the order passed by this court as far as the cut-off date is concerned,” the court said.

On the last hearing, the court had allowed only petitioners who have challenged Medical Council of India’s (MCI) notification capping the age limit for candidates taking NEET – the common entrance examination for all medical courses. “..an age limit could not have been determined by way of a notice on the basis of the instructions issued by the MCI,” the bench observed in its brief order, permitting all the desirous candidates to fill up the forms.

Earlier this month, a Sc-appointed panel vetoed the government’s move to cap the age of students and the number of attempts they are allowed to clear a top all-india exam for entry into undergraduate medical schools. The panel, headed by former chief justice RM Lodha, said it was in favour of striking down the government’s eligibility criteria as there is a “dearth of doctors in the country”.

In January, the government issued an executive order limiting to three the number of times a student could take the National Eligibility cum Entrance Test (NEET).