SC clears common entrance test for all medical courses

The Supreme Court ordered the Centre on Thursday to conduct the National Entrance-cum-Eligibility Test (NEET) for undergraduate courses, ending speculation over holding the common entrance exam for medical colleges for academic year 2016-17.

A bench headed by justice AR Dave brushed aside stiff opposition from states and private colleges to rule the NEET be held in two phases – the first on May 1 and the second on July 24. The combined results of both tests will be declared on August 17 and, as per the CBSE schedule, coun- selling will end on September 30.

The order came after the CBSE ( Central Board of Secondary Education) and the Medical Council of India ( MCI) gave a joint undertaking to conduct the exam in two phases. CONTINUED ON P8