MCI to checkmate states in SC

Updated on: Friday, November 25, 2011

The confusion surrounding the implementation of the National Eligibility-cum-Entrance Test (NEET)-Under Graduate (UG) from the academic year 2012-13, has taken a new twist with the Medical Council of India (MCI) planning to approach the Supreme Court seeking its help to resolve the crisis.

Several State governments, including Karnataka, and many private medical colleges, are vehemently opposing the implementation of NEET-UG from this year. The Karnataka High Court has issued a stay order in this regard. MCI will take a final decision on conducting the NEET-UG at a meeting of its Board of Governors on Friday.

According to MCI officials, private colleges and deemed-to-be universities are opposing the NEET-UG because they know that once the common entrance test is implemented, they can’t play around with the admissions process as they have been doing so far.

“Presently, impersonation is very common in most admission tests conducted by private institutes/consortiums. This type of malpractice generates huge revenue for the managements. Most of the admission tests lack transparency. So, everyone is opposing the MCI’s decision. Unfortunately, some State governments have also joined hands with them,” said a senior MCI officer.

“One of the complaints of the Karnataka government is that the NEET-UG syllabus is not covered in the State curriculum and it may create problems for students from the State. But the State government was silent when we asked for feedback on the draft syllabus,” the officer added. When contacted, one of the governors of the MCI, Prof. K. Mohandas, confirmed that the council will move the Supreme Court seeking its guidance over implementation of NEET-UG from this academic year.

“Even though many State High Courts have issued stay orders, as of now there is no change in our decision,” he said.

“It is the Supreme Court that has directed us to conduct this single national-level test. The Board of Governors of MCI will meet on Friday in New Delhi to discuss the issue. We will approach the Supreme Court seeking relief from stay orders issued by several State High Courts," Prof Mohandas said.

MCI to checkmate states in SC

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