NEET: Big day today - Supreme Court to pass order on fate of medical entrance examinations by states

New Delhi: It's a big day for medical aspirants as the Supreme Court is likely to clear the uncertainty hanging over the fate of medical entrance examinations conducted by states on Monday.

The Supreme Court on Friday had said that it would pass an order on May 9.

A bench of Justices AR Dave, Shiva Kirti Singh and A K Goel said clouds of uncertainty hanging over the fate of entrance examinations conducted by states after implementation of NEET will be cleared on May 9 when it would pass an order to put to rest all confusion.

Also, the Supreme Court on Friday had ruled that those students who had appeared for NEET-I held on May 1 would not be allowed in phase II of the test to be held on July 24.

The bench hinted that it may consider allowing states conducting their own tests to continue with the admission process for current academic year alone.

The Court had said that the issue with regard to those students who had appeared or who are due to appear in examinations conducted by the States in accordance with their State laws, shall be decided after hearing Solicitor General Ranjit Kumar.

The Solicitor General will on Monday apprise the court about the stand of the Centre. 

Ever since the National Eligibility Entrance Test (NEET) was revived by Supreme Court in April, the state governments and private colleges have been trying to convince the court to allow them to hold tests at least for the current academic year.

The court's order has also created confusion in the minds of lakhs of medical aspirants. Medical aspirants are confused whether the examination they had appeared or about to appear would be valid or not. Meanwhile, states are conducting the examinations with hearing in the Supreme Court going on.

Interestingly MCI, which had supported NEET and had opposed plea of state governments, softened its stand and told the bench they should be allowed to hold the tests this year.

NEET schedule 

According to the schedule, the All India Pre-Medical Test (AIPMT) scheduled for May 1 was treated as the first round of the NEET.

However, those who have not applied for AIPMT will be given opportunity to appear in round two on July 24.

The combined result will be declared on August 17, in order to complete the admission process by September 30 - the deadline set by the apex court in its previous orders.