NEET PG Becomes Binding for all States

The National Eligibility-cum-Entrance Test (NEET) gets a constitutional go-ahead as the sole entrance test subsequent to the amendment of the Indian Medical Council Act and Dentists Act. For the academic year 2016, only state governments will have the authority to fill all seats at state government institutions or state government quota of seats for UG (MBBS and BDS courses only) either by NEET or their own test. The rule is applicable only to the NEET UG.

All seats including management quota seats in private universities, deemed universities, private medical and dental colleges can only be filled through NEET and not through their own entrance tests.

NEET PG is the entrance exam for MD/MS courses, which will be conducted in December 2016 while NEET PG (MDS) is the entrance exam for postgraduate-level dental courses.

States and their obligation to NEET:

NEET-PG and NEET Super Specialty will be conducted by NBE and all states are bound to participate in NEET-PG. Prof. (Dr.) Bipin Batra, Executive Director, National Board of Examinations said, “Our prior experience on conducting the NEET, All India Postgraduate Medical Entrance Exam, and dealing with the state governments, universities, deemed universities and other institutions will be valuable in execution of NEET PG.”

Importance of NEET PG scores:

Students who have not appeared for NEET PG will be at a disadvantage as the scores are vital for admission to MD/MS courses in institutions that come under state governments, universities, deemed universities and medical colleges/institutions.

The idea of implementing NEET was to have a common medical entrance exam for admission to UG/PG courses. However, All India Institute of Medical Sciences, Jawaharlal Institute of Postgraduate Medical Education and Research and other such institutions will keep on conducting their own UG and PG entrance tests.

Prof. (Dr.) Batra said, “NEET as a methodology for entrance has been introduced by an amendment to the Indian Medical Council Act and Dentists Act and, accordingly, the scores of NEET-PG will be valid for institutions under state government, universities, and deemed universities which fall in the ambit of these Acts. However, there are institutions such as AIIMS, PGIMER and JIPMER, which are statutory and have their own Act. These institutions will continue to be covered by their own rules and regulations unless and until the governing councils for these institutions decide to adopt NEET as a methodology for entrance test. The participation of these institutions in NEET will open up the gateway for admissions to candidates across the country. I am sure that over a period of time they would also participate in NEET.”

Admission Criteria:

Colleges under state governments, universities, deemed universities and private institutions will adhere to the merit list prepared in accordance with NEET PG for admissions.

“Each counselling conducting body or institution will determine its own merit list based on the eligibility criteria which may include domicile, minority status etc. and the seats will be allocated strictly as per merit in compliance with the regulations framed for the purpose. NEET will help determine merit based on a common uniform and high standard examination while the counselling conducting bodies are free to draw their merit list from among the pool of candidates who have qualified the NEET,” Prof. (Dr.) Batra said.