Even as the government decided to give exemption to state governments from the National Eligibility-cum-Entrance Test (NEET) this year, private medical colleges are unlikely to get any relief, with th
Even as the government decided to give exemption to state governments from the National Eligibility-cum-Entrance Test (NEET) this year, private medical colleges are unlikely to get any relief, with the government planning to rein them in.
Reliable sources in the government revealed that the government is planning to give a “grace period” only to state government medical colleges in respect of state quota seats for the existing year 2016-17 from a single entrance test. However, private medical colleges are unlikely to get relief through the proposed ordinance.
Speaking to this newspaper, Union health minister J.P. Nadda said, “Private medical colleges will have to come under the ambit of NEET in phase 2 itself. NEET has been implemented and there is no change in that, just that we have to look into the concerns of state governments as well and we will come out with a concrete decision in a day or so.”
“Private medical colleges will not be exempted, that part has been taken care of. There have been concerns of state governments regarding language, syllabus etc. Exemption will be given on those grounds for a year to state-owned UG seats and hence the existing line of system will continue for another year. But private medical colleges will have to fill seats through NEET,” sources said. To defer NEET for another year, a legislative process will be followed before issuing the ordinance. “The ordinance will bring out changes in the IMC Act through which NEET has been operationalised,” sources added.
There are about 412 medical colleges in the country out of which 212 are private medical colleges. While 24,000 seats are in the control of private medical colleges, 26,000 seats are under the Central government.
The decision to defer NEET for another year was taken after an all-party meeting was held under the chairmanship of finance minister Arun Jaitley late on Monday evening.
The Supreme Court had earlier ruled that starting this academic session, students would have to appear in NEET to seek admission to medical or dental colleges in the country.
The apex court order had implied that all government colleges, deemed universities and private medical colleges would be covered under NEET.
