More questions about NEET than answers at the moment
The Supreme Court order likely to bring back the National Eligibility cum Entrance Test (NEET) for medical programmes across the country needs clarity.
Candidates preparing for medical entrance tests need to know if NEET will be conducted separately for PG level or if there will one common entrance test for all courses. Clearing the confusion, Dr Jayshree Mehta, president, Medical Council of India, says that for all PG courses, there will be a separate one common entrance test. A senior official in the ministry of health and f amily welfare says, “There will be two separate exams for undergraduate ( UG) and postg raduate ( PG) programmes. Consultations are being held to decide if it can be implemented this year. The UG exam is conducted by the Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE) and is part of the human resource development ministry. All admissions have to close by September 30, 2016, and we have to ensure all timelines are adhered to as per the directions of the Supreme Court. The All-India Pre-Medical Pre-Dental Test ( AIPMT) has been announced already for May this year so we have to see all pros and cons before a firm decision is taken.”
At the time of going to press, the final decision on NEET was yet to be taken. Another important question is whether NEET will be conducted from 2016. “I have promptly taken the required initiative and have already recommended to Central government to conduct NEET from 2016. The CBSE had been identified to conduct NEET for MBBS course admissions in 2013. The same will continue,” says Dr Mehta.
MCI had also submitted a letter to the health ministry regarding conduct of NEET from this year, ie. 2016, immediately after pronouncement of the Supreme Court judgment and accordingly revised time schedule for accommodation of the NEET for 2016 had also been proposed.
NEET’s format will be decided by CBSE as it is the designated competent authority. Admission to state and private medical colleges will also be done through NEET.
The AIPMT is scheduled to be held on May 1, 2016 as announced earlier by the CBSE. This entrance test is meant for 15% merit positions in the medical/dental colleges of India.
There are also state governments/universities/institutions voluntarily participating in the AIPMT- 2016 for using its merit list for admission.
CBSE officials did not respond to queries on the conduct of NEET.