Thursday, Apr 25, 2024 | Last Update : 02:01 PM IST
UG medical test unlikely this year
Even as the Supreme Court recalled its order scrapping the national eligibility-cum-entrance test, sources revealed that the single entrance test for admission to undergraduate (UG) medical courses is
Even as the Supreme Court recalled its order scrapping the national eligibility-cum-entrance test, sources revealed that the single entrance test for admission to undergraduate (UG) medical courses is unlikely to be held this year.
While the entrance exams for undergraduate courses is scheduled for May 1, the admission process had begun in December 2015. However, soon after the recent SC order, discussions had begun within the Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE) over the possibility of conducting a single test for the all-India pre-medical test (AIPMT) and the NEET UG this year. Sources, however, revealed that the “changes in the schedule are unlikely”.
“The CBSE had two choices — either to postpone the exam for two months to July, which would mean a fresh notification, or conduct it next year, which is more viable and convenient. The session has to begin by August as per the court orders. Keeping in view the present scenario, it is likely that the single entrance will be conducted next year,” sources said, adding: “The old AIPMT and state-level PMT entrance format is likely to be restored. However, alternatively, the government may decide to retain NEET for government colleges and exempt private colleges from it.”
Following the December 2015 notification for NEET UG, several universities, private institutions have already conducted their exams. “A final decision on whether the AIPMT be rescheduled from May 1 will be taken by Friday,” added sources.
While the apex court had, in its 2013 judgment, made NEET invalid, it recently recalled its judgement, saying that it was delivered by a majority verdict without any discussions among members of the bench headed by the then Chief Justice of India.
Ironically, the exam had hit the wall the first time it was introduced, with several states, including Andhra Pradesh, Kerala, Karnataka, Tamil Nadu, opposing it.
In fact, many private colleges in TN and AP filed petitions in various high courts seeking exemption from using the exam as one of the criteria for admissions.
