Today(on 15th March),The Supreme Court has declined to postpone the NEET MDS 2024 exam, despite calls for a delay until July, amid concerns from aspirants. This decision follows the Union Government’s extension of the internship cut-off date to June 30, 2024, aimed at addressing candidate concerns.
Thank you for reading this post, don't forget to subscribe!
NEW DELHI: Today(on 15th March), The Supreme Court has firmly declined the request to postpone the National Eligibility Entrance Test for Master of Dental Surgery (NEET MDS) 2024. Scheduled for March 18, 2024, the examination has been the focal point of a heated debate, with aspirants advocating for a delay until July 2024. This decision comes despite the Union Government’s adjustment of the internship cut-off date for eligibility from March 31 to June 30, 2024, a move aimed at accommodating the concerns raised by the NEET MDS candidates.
The Supreme Court’s refusal to reschedule the NEET MDS exam underscores its stance on not intervening in policy decisions made by educational authorities. This decision was influenced by a previous petition from students regarding the extension of the internship deadline, where the Court allowed for representations to be made to the relevant authorities but refrained from altering policy decisions.
ALSO READ: Supreme Court to Decide on NEET MDS 2024 Postponement
“We think it is inappropriate to interfere at this stage,”
-remarked the Chief Justice of India, emphasizing the Court’s reluctance to disrupt the established schedule based on judicial review parameters.
The controversy revolves around the discrepancy in scheduling and deadlines between NEET MDS and NEET-PG for postgraduate medical studies. The rescheduling of NEET-PG to July 7, 2024, with a cutoff date of August 15, 2024, sharply contrasts with NEET MDS timeline, prompting allegations of arbitrary decision-making. However, the Court upheld its stance, emphasizing the significance of respecting the autonomy of policymaking bodies.
The Impact on Aspirants
The decision not to postpone the NEET MDS exam carries significant implications for aspirants. Dr. Sumangal Bose, a hopeful from Kolkata, expressed concerns over the alignment of MBBS and BDS counselling schedules, noting:
“This decision potentially limits the number of candidates accommodated for the exam, impacting thousands.”
Similarly,Dr. Ayesha Nazrin from Kerala also spoke up for about 8,000 candidates unable to apply due to ongoing internships, stating:
“For those rendered ineligible, it’s a devastating blow, forcing them to waste two precious years.”
The logistical challenges of reaching exam centers, especially in remote areas, were also highlighted. Dr. Bose pointed out the difficulties posed by the limited number of exam centers and the delayed release of admit cards. Dr. Nazrin further criticized the lack of specific city names for exam centers on the NBEMS website, describing it as a “logistical nightmare.”
Revised Eligibility Criteria and Its Challenges
Adding to the difficulties for aspirants, the eligibility criteria were changed just 10 days before the exam. Dr. Bose criticized this, saying enough time to prepare is crucial for national-level exams. This sudden change has left many candidates scrambling to adjust their study plans.
ALSO READ: ‘NEET Will Be Scrapped’
The Court’s Final Decision
Despite the requests from students and the Union Government’s extension of the internship cut-off date, the Supreme Court’s decision stays the same. With over 28,000 students set to take the exam, the Court says it’s important to stick to the plan to avoid problems for most people.
