NEET applicability confuses medical aspirants

Medical aspirants in West Bengal are confused over the applicability of National Eligibility cum Entrance Test (NEET) in the state after a section of media reported that NEET would be reintroduced in all the states.

It was reported by some media that the national level common entrance examinations, NEET will take place as it has been cleared by the Supreme Court creating confusion among the medical aspirants in the state. They are not sure which examinations they have to sit for.

The Supreme Court on Monday accepted the review petition moved by the Centre and recalled its earlier judgment dated on 18 July, 2013 when the Apex Court quashed the applicability of NEET declaring it unconstitutional. The Central government and the Medical Council of India (MCI) had challenged the 2013 order.

Experts in the field said that the Supreme Court recalling its earlier judgment does not mean that the NEET is cleared by the Apex court. It will take time before giving its final verdict. After considering all aspects if the Supreme Court clears the NEET, all the states have to accept the national level common entrance examinations. Presently, various states including West Bengal conduct their own medical entrance examinations. 

If the NEET is reintroduced there will be no state level examinations. The candidates have to appear in the national level entrance examinations to become a doctor.

Dr AK Maity, an expert in the field of medical selection process in West Bengal said that accepting the review petition does not mean that the Apex Court has cleared the examinations as it was reported in a section of media. 

After going through the reports which are utterly false, the medical aspirants are confused if they want to appear the NEET this year or next year. But in reality it will take time before the Supreme Court gives its final verdict.

It may be mentioned that West Bengal Joint Entrance Examination is scheduled to take place on May 17 while the result will be published on June 5. 

A senior health department official said that the state will conduct its own entrance examination before the final verdict comes out. The Supreme Court had earlier quashed the applicability of NEET as it found it unconstitutional. 

The Apex Court had also questioned the MCI’s power to hold a common entrance test.