The Supreme Court on Monday upheld the autonomy of states in enacting laws for the conduct of common entrance tests for admission to professional courses and to fix fees for the said courses.

A five-judge Constitution bench comprising Justices Anil R. Dave, A.K. Sikri, R.K. Agarwal, A.K. Goel and R. Banumathi gave this ruling while upholding a law enacted by the Madhya Pradesh government to regulate primarily the admission of students in post graduate courses in private, professional educational institutions. Provisions are also being made for fixing fees. In addition, the said Act and Rules also contain provisions for reservation of seats.

Justice Sikri dismissed appeals from Modern Dentral College and others who are unaided, private medical and dental colleges and said that there was no violation of right of autonomy of the educational institutions in the CET being conducted by the state or an agency nominated by the state.

Taking note of an expert committee’s report about corruption in the functioning of the Medical Council of India in the grant of affiliation to medical colleges, the bench set up a three-member oversight panel headed by former Chief Justice of India R.M. Lodha to oversee all statutory functions under the MCI Act. All policy decisions of the MCI will require the approval of the Oversight Committee. The Committee will be free to issue appropriate remedial directions will function till the Central government puts in place any other appropriate mechanism.