Three weeks after medical aspirants took the first phase of National Eligibility cum Entrance Test (NEET), the Union Cabinet has decided to bring in an Ordinance, setting aside Supreme Court order that made a pan Indian common medical entrance test mandatory.
The Cabinet decision will be sent to the President to pass an executive order, setting aside the apex court's May 9th order on NEET.
- Facing pressure from state governments, who had opposed the proposal on grounds of logistical issues as well as regional differences in languages making NEET an unfair benchmark for students from state boards, the Centre will be deferring the implementation of the common medical entrance test by one year.
- Earlier this week, health ministers from all states had met with the Union Health Minister JP Nadda on the issue. The second round of NEET was to be held on July 24.
- The All India Pre Medical Test (AIPMT) is conducted by the Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE) but many states like Telangana, Andhra Pradesh, Jammu & Kashmir conduct their own exams.
