Cabinet clears ordinance to keep state boards out of NEET

Government today approved promulgation of an ordinance to keep state boards out of the ambit of uniform medical entrance examination, NEET, for one academic year.

The executive order is aimed at "partially" overturning a Supreme Court verdict which said all government colleges, deemed universities and private medical colleges would be covered under NEET.

The next phase of the exam is scheduled for July 24. Nearly 6.5 lakh students have already sat for the first phase of NEET held on May 1.

Once the ordinance is issued, students of state government boards will not have to sit for NEET on July 24. They, however, will have to become part of the uniform entrance exam from next academic session, government sources clarified.

The exam will be applicable for those applying for Central government and private medical colleges.

The states flagged various issues in the health ministers conference recently, including problems related to language and syllabus for students. They said the students affiliated to state boards will find it tough to appear for the uniform test as early as July.

Health Minister J P Nadda is likely to meet President Pranab Mukherjee to explain him about the need for the ordinance.