Nod for ordinance to keep states out of NEET ambit

Implementation of SC order postponed by a year

Using the ordinance route, the Centre on Friday announced it was postponing for a year the implementation of a Supreme Court order that made a common entrance test for admission to medical colleges mandatory.

The Supreme Court had ordered that only one National Eligibility-cum-Entrance Test (NEET) must be held to seek entrance into medical colleges, regardless of whether they were owned by the government (central or state) or managed by private individuals or boards.

The apex court's ruling last month was opposed by states which say their syllabus is different and their students will be at a loss compared to those who have followed the central board. However, the move is prompted by the massive education industry, especially privately-owned medical colleges across India.

Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal tweeted he had urged Prime Minister Narendra Modi not to bring an ordinance as it would send a message that "the government is with those who have black or untaxed money." Kejriwal said "many leaders and lawmakers from many parties" run their own medical colleges and have their own reasons for opposing a common national test. Corruption in exams held in states was the reason the SC had ordered an uniform test.

But, several states, including Maharashtra, Karnataka and Tamil Nadu, objected that this year it would be practically impossible to organise a common test and their students would suffer without home advantage.

Reacting to the state protests, Prime Minister Narendra Modi called a second cabinet meeting within a week. Sources say the decision to take the ordinance route came after Health Minister J P Nadda consulted with ministers of more than a dozen states. Finance Minister Arun Jaitley also met leaders of six political parties, including the Congress.

So far, about 600,000 students have appeared for the first phase of NEET on May 1. The second phase is on July 24.

The apex court had earlier turned down petitions seeking permission to hold separate admission tests for medical colleges.