New Delhi:  In a big relief to hundreds of students, the Supreme Court on Friday allowed candidates above 25 years to appear in the National-Eligibility-cum-Entrance-Test (NEET). 


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The order was passed by the apex court bench of Justices Dipak Misra and AM Khanwilkar which directed that the age limit for NEET examination would be inapplicable this year. 


It said that the age limit can be fixed from the next academic year.


The CBSE had fixed the age limit as 25 years for the candidates. The bench was hearing a plea challenging the age limit fixed by the CBSE for candidates appearing for NEET 2017 examination.


The order was passed by the apex court bench of Justices Dipak Misra and AM Khanwilkar which directed that the age limit for NEET would be inapplicable this year. 


The bench passed the order after senior advocates Amarendra Sharan and Indu Malhotra, who appeared for individual applicants in the matter, noted that the age limit prohibited aspirants who after graduation, were desirous of pursuing the course.


Counsel for CBSE, advocate C K Singh, was opposed to the idea, on the basis that the formalities for the exam had already been finalised and it would take a huge amount of effort to redo the entire exercise.


However, the apex court disagreed with the argument. 


Apart from rejecting the aforesaid submissions, the bench also directed that the online notification clarifying the age limit and the extension of date should be put up on the official website by today evening.


The NEET exam is due to be conducted on May 7, and the date for submission of applications forms has also been extended till April 5.


The case will now be listed in mid-July for final disposal.