NEET PG: AIIMS, PGI not included; DNB may be included
Prof (Dr) Bipin Batra,
Executive Director, National Board of Examinations, clarifies on various issues
pertaining to NEET for UG, PG as well as super-specialty courses in the country.
Q) What is the issue of
ordinance for NEET all about?
National
Eligibility-cum-Entrance Test as the eligibility-cum-entrance test was
introduced earlier in 2011-12 by way of amendments to the regulations governing
the UG (MBBS) and PG (MD/MS) courses.
The decisions made by regulations may be subject to decisions of
executive from time to time. This was struck down by Supreme Court in July 2013
and finally approved and upheld by the Constitution Bench of Hon’ble Supreme
Court in April 2016.
Now, the Government of
India has granted statutory status to NEET by way of an amendment to the Indian
Medical Council Act and incorporated the same as part Indian Medical Council
Act and Dentists Act.
Q) What difference does
it make?
The introduction of
National Eligibility-cum-Entrance Test as sole entrance examination by way of
amendment to the Indian Medical Council Act and Dentists Act granted statutory
status to NEET and making it law of land. With statuary status for NEET, there
are no exceptions and the applicability of NEET is universal across all the
states and institutions governed by the Indian Medical Council Act.
Q) Are there any
exceptions to NEET?
For year 2016
admissions, only state governments have the option of either filling up the
seats under their control at state govt. institutions or state govt. quota of
seats for UG (MBBS and BDS Courses only) through NEET or their own test.
Private Universities, deemed universities, private medical and dental colleges
cannot conduct their test for admissions; it is binding on them to fill up their
seats through NEET only including the management quota seats.
Q) What will be the
scope of NEET?
NEET – UG courses is for
entry to the MBBS and BDS courses at the graduate level. NEET – PG (MD/MS) is
for entry to the MD/MS courses. NEET PG (MDS) is for entry to graduate level
dental courses. NEET – SS is for entry to Super Specialty courses i.e. DM/MCh.
Q) Will NEET be
applicable to D.N.B courses as well?
A decision to this
effect shall be undertaken soon and hopefully we will issue a clarification by
end of July,2016
Q) Whether NEET shall be
held every year?
Yes, with the orders of
Hon’ble Supreme Court dated April 2016 and amendment to the Indian Medical
Council Act and Dentists Act respectively dated May 2016 the National
Eligibility-cum-Entrance Test (NEET) has attained a firm statutory status and
it shall be held every year.
Q) What about reservations expressed by states to
opt out of NEET?
Some State Governments
have expressed their reservations on the conduct of National
Eligibility-cum-Entrance Test. However, with the statutory status being granted
to NEET and in compliance with orders of the Hon’ble Supreme Court, NEET is
mandatory and binding for all State Governments /Universities /deemed
universities /medical or dental institutions. It is binding and obligatory for
all the states to participate in NEET-PG.
Q) Any updates about the
exam pattern, number of papers, maximum marks, sections, cut-off etc?
A decision to this
effect shall be undertaken soon and the scheme of tests for NEET PG including
dates, calendar shall be notified in compliance with applicable regulations.
Prior experience of NBE towards conducting the National
Eligibility-cum-Entrance Test, AIPGMEE and dealing with the State Governments,
Universities, deemed universities and other institutions shall be valuable in
execution of NEET.
Q) Whether NBE shall
conduct NEET PG 2016 and SS?
Yes, the National Board
of Examinations shall conduct national Eligibility-cum-Entrance Test-PG and SS.
Q) What about the
applicability of NEET PG scores?
Which all institutions
shall accept the same? The National
Eligibility-cum-Entrance Test-PG scores shall be essential requirement for
admission to MD/MS courses in institutions controlled by State Governments,
Universities, deemed universities and medical colleges/institutions.
Q) What shall be status
of other institutions as the AIIMS/ PGI/JIPMER with NEET?
National
Eligibility-cum-Entrance Test as a methodology for entrance has been introduced
by an amendment to Indian Medical Council Act and Dentists Act and accordingly
the scope of NEET-PG shall be to the institutions under State Government
/universities /deemed universities which fall in the ambit of Indian Medical
Council Act and Dentists Act (for dental courses).
However, there are
statutory institutions such as AIIMS, PGIMER and JIPMER, which are statutory
and have their own Act. These
institutions shall continue to be covered by their own Act /rules and
regulations unless and until the Governing Councils for those institutions
decides to adopt NEET as a methodology for entrance test.
The participation of
these institutions in NEET shall open up the gateway for admissions to the
aspirant candidates across the country. I am sure that over a period of time
they would also participate in NEET.
Q) Who will do the
counselling after NEET PG and SS?
Each counselling
conducting body /institution shall determine their own merit list based on the
eligibility criteria which may include domicile, minority status etc. and the
seats shall be allocated strictly as per merit in compliance with the
regulations framed for the purpose.
The admission criteria
after National Eligibility-cum-Entrance Test-PG shall be based on the merit
list prepared by the respective counseling conducting bodies such as State
Governments /Universities /Deemed universities /private institutions.
NEET provides for
determination of merit based on a common uniform and high standard examination
while the counseling conducting bodies such as State Governments /Universities
/Deemed Universities /private institutions are free to draw their merit list
from amongst the pool of candidates who have qualified the NEET in compliance
of the regulations applicable.
