The introduction of National Eligibility-cum-Entrance Test (NEET) as the sole entrance test by amending the Indian Medical Council Act and Dentists Act has granted statutory status to the test. For 2016 admissions, only state governments have the option of either filling up the seats at state government institutions or filling up state government quota of seats for UG (MBBS and BDS courses only) through NEET or their own test. However, this applies only to the NEET UG.
Private universities, deemed universities, private medical and dental colleges cannot conduct their test for admissions and it is binding on them to fill up all their seats through NEET only, including the management quota seats.
NEET PG is for entry to the MD/MS courses, which will be conducted in December 2016. NEET PG (MDS) is for entry to postgraduate-level dental courses.
Will all states participate?
According to Prof (Dr) Bipin Batra, executive director, National Board of Examinations, it is binding and obligatory for all the states to participate in NEET-PG. A decision to this effect will be taken soon. “Our prior experience on conducting the NEET, All India Postgraduate Medical Entrance Exam, and dealing with the state governments, universities, deemed universities and other institutions will be valuable in execution of NEET PG.” This test and NEET Super Specialty will be conducted by NBE.
Why NEET PG scores are important
NEET PG scores will be an essential requirement for admission to MD/MS courses in institutions controlled by state governments, universities, deemed universities and medical colleges/institutions.
NEET has been introduced with the idea of a common medical exam for admission to UG/PG courses. Institutions such as the All India Institute of Medical Sciences, Jawaharlal Institute of Postgraduate Medical Education and Research, will, however, continue to conduct their own UG and PG exams. Will this defeat the purpose of NEET PG?
“NEET as a methodology for entrance has been introduced by an amendment to the Indian Medical Council Act and Dentists Act and, accordingly, the scores of NEET-PG will be valid for institutions under state government, universities, and deemed universities which fall in the ambit of these Acts. However, there are institutions such as AIIMS, PGIMER and JIPMER, which are statutory and have their own Act. These institutions will continue to be covered by their own rules and regulations unless and until the governing councils for these institutions decide to adopt NEET as a methodology for entrance test. The participation of these institutions in NEET will open up the gateway for admissions to candidates across the country. I am sure that over a period of time they would also participate in NEET,” says Prof (Dr) Batra.
Admission criteria after NEET PG
The admission criteria after NEET PG will be based on the merit list prepared by the respective counselling conducting bodies such as state governments, universities, deemed universities and private institutions.
“Each counselling conducting body or institution will determine its own merit list based on the eligibility criteria which may include domicile, minority status etc and the seats will be allocated strictly as per merit in compliance with the regulations framed for the purpose. NEET will help determine merit based on a common uniform and high standard examination while the counselling conducting bodies are free to draw their merit list from among the pool of candidates who have qualified the NEET,” he adds.
Source: HT