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.