The Supreme Court ruled that NEET UG qualification is mandatory for Indian students seeking to study MBBS abroad if they intend to practice in India. The court dismissed petitions challenging the requirement, upholding its necessity. It emphasized that the rule ensures uniform standards for medical education. Additionally, the bench refused to grant any one-time exemption.
New Delhi: The Supreme Court upheld the regulation that mandates Indian students to qualify for the NEET UG examination before enrolling in undergraduate medical courses abroad.
This rule, introduced by the Medical Council of India (MCI) in 2018, ensures that students meet the necessary standards to practice medicine in India.
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The court determined that requiring NEET UG is a “fair and transparent measure” that does not breach any legal provisions. This regulation is in line with the Graduate Medical Education Regulations of 1997 and promotes uniformity in medical education standards.
Students who disputed the rule argued that the Indian Medical Council Act of 1956 had not been amended prior to the introduction of this requirement.
However, the Supreme Court affirmed that the MCI possessed the authority to implement it under Section 33 of the Act. The court dismissed appeals for a one-time exemption, clarifying that students who enrolled in medical programs abroad after the revised regulations were enacted must adhere to them.
While this rule specifically targets those wishing to study medicine abroad and practice in India, students can still pursue their studies and work in other countries without taking NEET.
NEET UG (National Eligibility cum Entrance Test – Undergraduate) is the entrance exam for students seeking admission to MBBS, BDS, AYUSH, and other medical courses in India. It is conducted by the National Testing Agency (NTA)
Also Read: [NEET-UG 2024 Row] Supreme Court to Hear Review Petition on October 22
The NEET-UG 2024 examination faced significant controversies, primarily centered around allegations of a question paper leak and discrepancies in the results.
On May 5, 2024, during the NEET-UG exam in Patna, Bihar, news came out that the question paper had been leaked. Officials said that a group took Rs. 30 lakh to Rs.50 lakh from some candidates and gave them the leaked questions a day before the exam. Many people, including students and middlemen, were arrested for this cheating.