4.1 lakh appear for MH-CET amid uncertainty

Around 4.1 lakh students appeared for the MH-CET on Thursday in an atmosphere of uncertainty and gloom due to the National Eligibility cum Entrance Test (Neet) controversy. Though the papers were not particularly difficult, students said they were plagued by uncertainty on whether the CET scores would be valid for admission to MBBS and BDS colleges and hence appeared for the tests half-heartedly.

According to an examination supervisor at a suburban college, students looked forlorn and dejected while writing the tests. “The atmosphere was very gloomy and the zest and zeal was lacking in the students, which was definitely not due to the questions as most of them managed to answer the papers with relative ease. The issue surrounding the Neet did have an impact on them,” he said.

Admitting to the lack of enthusiasm while appearing for the CET, Pratik Gala, a student, said that all students appearing for the test had only one question in mind before and after the tests: ‘Will our efforts secure us a seat in a medical or dental college or will we be forced to reappear for NEET ’. “Even though the state government has said that it is requesting the Supreme Court and the Medical Council of India to reconsider its decision to conduct admissions to medical and dental colleges through Neet – I and II, the issue has left most of us disturbed and unsure of what will happen next,” said Mr Gala.

Jayesh Singh, a parent who had accompanied his daughter to one of the exam centers in the western suburbs, said, “We had planned to go for a trip to our hometown after the CET but now we are not sure. If the students have to reappear for Neet – II they will have to start preparing for it afresh. My question is why was the issue raked up so close to the test dates. Like my daughter, other students are at their wits end as to what the future holds for them,” said Mr Singh.

Mumbai and Mumbai suburbs saw the highest number of students appearing for the CET in Maharashtra. The city also saw the highest number of absenteeism due to the confusion on whether CET scores or Neet scores would secure them admission in a medical or dental college. While 25,659 students had registered for the test, only 24,192 students turned up. Statistics shared by the State Common Entrance Test Cell that conducted the exam shows Mumbai and the suburbs saw an absenteeism of 7.3 per cent.