MCI joint secy told to explain notice to states on CET

The Medical Council of India (MCI) has asked one of its joint secretaries to explain why she issued a notification to medical colleges in all states, directing them to furnish information for holding the Common Entrance Test (CET) for admission of students to undergraduate and post-graduate courses. 

On February 24, Dr Reena Nayyar, joint secretary in the MCI, had asked senior officials and Directors of Medical Education (DMEs) to provide details of sanctioned intake for various courses in medical colleges and also the mode of admission within 24 hours. The MCI had asked the officials concerned to furnish the details as it wanted to compile information for holding the CET.  

Top MCI officials took up the issue after Millennium Post on March 4 reported that the Centre was trying to pass a Bill to reintroduce the National Eligibility-cum-Entrance Test (NEET) or CET for the admission of students, and thereby, controlling the entrance examination conducted by states.

This comes at a time when the Supreme Court has already quashed the applicability of NEET/CET. Sources said the Centre through the Bill has been trying to make the MCI all powerful so that it could control the medical entrance examinations in all states and UTs.

The question arises as to why the MCI issued a notification to medical colleges in all states, seeking information from them for holding the CET, when the matter is still pending before the Supreme Court. A petitioner, who moved the Apex Court, said the MCI had no right to issue such a notification to state governments.