The Supreme Court on Monday paved the way for implementation of National Eligibility cum Entrance Test (NEET) for admissions to MBBS, BDS and post-graduate courses in all medical colleges, while also setting aside its earlier order.
Hearing a review petition on NEET, the top court said it will hear the case afresh on validity of the common entrance test. “Till the matter is decided NEET can be implemented,” the top court said.
The Supreme Court had, in June 2013, had ruled that the Medical Council of India (MCI)’s notification for holding common entrance tests for MBBS, BDS and post-graduate medical courses as invalid. A three-judge bench by a 2:1 verdict held that the notification was against the Constitution.
The three-judge bench at that time was led by Chief Justice Altamas Kabir with Justice Vikramjit Sen and Justice AR Dave. CJI Kabir and Justice Sen had shared their views that the NEET would violate the autonomous identities of the private institutions, and institutions that administer their own tests. CET also disregards the constitutional rights of minorities to establish and run their own schools.
After the 2013 decision, the MCI opposed the verdict and moved for a review of the verdict which has led to this particular development.
It was not only the court but students from different parts of the country had taken to the streets against the proposal of implementing CET.
But after three years, SC decided to rule against its previous verdict. But, this does not entail that NEET will be the sole entrance test as there will a fresh hearing about implementing Common Entrance Test or CET and its validity. The apex court ruled that till the matter of CET, and its validity is not decided upon, NEET can be implemented.
