Karnataka asks students to appear for NEET, CET

Bengaluru: In the backdrop of Supreme Court clearing the decks for National Eligibility Entrance Test (NEET) as a single common entrance test for admission to MBBS and BDS courses, Karnataka government has advised the students to appear for both NEET and the Common Entrance Test, conducted by it.

The government was seeking legal opinion and is likely?to decide by tomorrow on filing of an appeal, suggesting NEET as a single common entrance test, be considered from next year, Higher Education Minister Jayachandra said.

"There is ambiguity among students and parents whether to appear for exam on May 1...We advise students to appear for exam tomorrow," he told reporters here.

"Those who have applied should appear tomorrow, those who have applied for CET on May 4th should also appear for?the exam, and those who have not applied for NEET now have to? utilise the opportunity by applying for NEET 2 exam to be held on July 24," he added.

The apex court in its decision had approved the schedule put before it by the Centre, CBSE and the Medical Council of India (MCI) for treating All India Pre-Medical Test (AIPMT) fixed for May 1 as NEET-1 and holding NEET-II on July 24 for those who have not applied for AIPMT.

The combined result would be declared on August 17 so that the admission process can be completed by September 30.

Jayachandra said: "We are not clear about the judgement yet as within two days after the judgement exam has approached."

He said: "Different states are party to the case that is coming up on May 3rd... Advocate General is not in town, he will be coming tomorrow, we will have discussion on this and decide about the appeal. We are saying let's have NEET from next year, I think other states are also of the same opinion."

Responding to a question about CET conducted by the state government, Minister of State for Medical Education Sharan Prakash Patil said, "Whether to derive merit from CET or not, we will decide as per the Supreme Court judgement on the date of counselling."

On reservation that is given for students from Hyderabad- Karnataka and other backward regions of the state, he said, "The state's reservation policy will prevail, NEET judgement has nothing to do with quota, to derive merit they are conducting NEET."