Updated on: Thursday, December 16, 2010
Medical Council of India (MCI), in a written communication to all state governments, private medical colleges and deemed universities urged their support to hold common entrance test for admission to MBBS courses in the 2011-12 academic year.
Dr.Devi Shetty, MCI member told, "We will be asking the state governments to agree to this. There will be no exception for any medical college, deemed university or government. The seat matrix will remain the same. Colleges will not be allowed to take in students who do not appear for the tests. To appear for the tests, students should must score at least 50% marks in plus two. We will grade the students and colleges can decide on whom they want to take based on merit."
The Tamil Nadu government which runs over 17 medical colleges across the state has been threatening to go to court opposing common entrance tests. "We are not convinced that a common entrance test is good for students. It was scrapped four years ago. Currently, there have been no problems with the admissions," said health secretary V. K Subburaj. "We are sure several other state government will join us in opposing CET. Education after all is a state subject," he said.
However many academicians, including former National Board of Examination president Dr.A. Rajasekaran, say the states did not have much to lose. "There is no change in the seat matrix, they don't lose any seats. It's better for the students because such exams will open up options for them to join colleges in other states as well. They don't have to appear examinations conducted by each state," Rajasekaran said.
Most medical aspirants aren't sure of which is good. "The present system does not stress us. But I would not mind taking the stress if there is an opportunity to get a medical seat," said, a class XII student and medical aspirant.