The Under Graduate Medical Education Board (UGMEB) of the National Medical Commission (NMC), has issued a public notice in response on admission eligibility for the NEET-UG test. The notice sheds light on the historical context, legal challenges, and the current stance adopted by the NMC to address the concerns of aspiring medical students. It was issued on November 22, 2023.
This notice is in response to a surge in queries, representations, and pending court cases related to admission eligibility for the NEET-UG test.
Historical Background: The erstwhile Medical Council of India (MCI) stipulated eligibility criteria for MBBS course admission. This was by virtue of the Regulations on Graduate Medical Education, 1997. The eligibility included a mandatory two-year study of Physics, Chemistry, Biology/Biotechnology, along with English in Class 11th and 12th. This requirement faced legal challenges and was eventually quashed by the Delhi High Court in 2018.
Impact on Foreign Medical Course Admissions: The quashing of these provisions had a direct impact on candidates seeking admission to Graduate/Primary Medical Courses in Foreign Medical Institutes. These candidates were governed by the Eligibility Requirement for Taking Admission in an Undergraduate Medical Course in a Foreign Medical Institution Regulations, 2002, and the Screening Test Regulation, 2002.
Debarment from NEET-UG Test: Due to the legal developments, candidates were debarred from the NEET-UG Test, and their applications for Eligibility Certificates were rejected.
Introduction of Graduate Medical Education Regulations, 2023: The NMC, after extensive deliberations and in line with the New Education Policy, framed the Graduate Medical Education Regulations, 2023, which repealed the earlier Regulations on Graduate Medical Education, 1997, prospectively. The regulation allows candidates who have passed 10+2 with Physics, Chemistry, Biology/Biotechnology, and English to be eligible for the NEET-UG.
Revised Approach to Eligibility: In a meeting held on June 14, 2023, the NMC revisited the previous approach, considering the flexibility permitted by the New Education Policy. Candidates are now allowed to undertake the study of requisite subjects as additional subjects after passing Class 12th from recognized boards. Such candidates will be eligible to appear in the NEET-UG Test and qualify for the grant of Eligibility Certificates.
Retrospective Applicability and Court Cases: The present decision will apply retrospectively to candidates whose Eligibility Certificate applications were rejected. Candidates becoming eligible after the public notice date will be permitted to appear in NEET-UG 2024. Additionally, the NMC commits to withdrawing court cases filed by the erstwhile Medical Council of India/NMC in this regard and explaining the current position in all pending litigations filed by candidates against MCI/NMC for prompt resolution.
This public notice aims to bring clarity and fairness to the admission process for medical education, aligning with evolving educational policies and legal considerations.
