TS, AP students’ entry to NEET on hold

Article 371(D) a sticking point, needs to be amended and approved

Irrespective of the positives or negatives of the common National Eligibility cum Entrance Test (NEET), the two Telugu states cannot join the national pool until amendment of Article 371(D). TSCHE chairman T. Papi Reddy said admissions for medical and dental seats in both TS and AP are being done according to Article 371(D) even after bifurcation.

“The combined state was divided to three regions — Osmania University, Andhra University and Sri Venkateswara University – and admissions were done on a 85:15 ratio. While 85 per cent quota was for locals, 15 per cent was open. This system is being followed even now because the AP Reorganisation Act is in place for 10 years as far as admissions are concerned, ”he said.

P.V.R.K. Murthy, chairman of Gayathri Educational Institutions, which has a presence in both states, said, “If TS and AP join NEET in the future, amendment to Article 371 (D) has to be made in the Assembly, Parliament and then finally by the President.”

Asked if a student from AP or TS could attempt NEET even if both states did not join the national pool, he said they would be allowed on one condition.

“For All India Pre-Medical Test conducted by CBSE, students are asked to give a declaration that they are not writing the local entrance exam (Eamcet in this case). They cannot write both tests simultaneously. The same rule will be applicable to NEET,” he said.

Commenting on medical admissions in reputed institutes like AIIMS-New Delhi, CMC-Vellore, AFMC-Pune, he stated that they were deemed institutions and hence there would be no restrictions for candidates on writing NEET or Eamcet. Students will have to clear separate tests for getting admissions into those institutions, he said.

Dr Bhaskar Rao, president of Andhra Pradesh Private Medical Colleges, felt that this decision by the Supreme Court was not final. “The state government and our association filed cases against NEET in the High Court. The apex court has to look into stay orders given by the court,” he said.

The Telangana Junior Doctors’ Association is happy with the Supreme Court’s order. Dr G. Srinivas, president of the association said, “We urge the government of Telangana to include central pool of both undergraduate and postgraduate seats and also seek exemption from Article 371D. If this is done, the state will get more seats.”

Indian Medical Association secretary-general Dr K.K. Aggarwal said, “We are in favour of NEET as we want the process to be transparent. Not only will transparency be ensured, but students will not have to write entrance tests for admissions in other states.”

The amendment will have to be made in Assembly,

Parliament and finally approved by the President