NEET 2018: Delhi HC puts CBSE's eligibility criteria on hold
After the SC refused to interfere in age limits for the NEET fixed by CBSE, the Delhi HC has put on hold a notification on eligibility norms issued by the education board. CBSE had fixed the upper age limit for the medical entrance test at 25 years, but some aspirants challenged the rule. Candidates have also opposed other qualification norms.
About the National Eligibility-cum-Entrance Test
NEET, conducted by the CBSE, decides admissions into graduate/postgraduate medical courses like MBBS, BDS, MD or MS in colleges run under the Medical/Dental Council of India. In 2013, it replaced the All India Pre-Medical Test (AIPMT) and individual entrance exams conducted by states and colleges.
Who are eligible to appear for the NEET 2018?
The NEET 2018 is scheduled for May 6. Online registrations began on February 9, to continue till March 9. For regular students, the application fee is Rs. 1,400, and Rs. 750 for reserved categories. Candidates who have either passed Class 12 with Physics, Chemistry, Biology/Bio-technology and English with minimum 50% marks, or those who will appear for the 2018 board exam, are eligible.
You can't appear if you meet any of these conditions
General candidates aged below 17 and above 25, and SC/ST/OBC/Persons With Disabilities (PWD) candidates over 30, aren't eligible for the exam. Those who passed 10+2 from open schools or as private candidates aren't eligible either. Students who took biology/biotechnology as an additional subject at the 10+2 level, or who completed Class 11-12 in more than two years, are also not permitted.
Students had moved the SC against age limits
Ten students from different states had petitioned the SC to remove the upper age limit, contending there's no similar restriction in the AIIMS or JIPMER entrance exams. But the SC refused to interfere and dismissed the petition. Incidentally, it had scrapped the age limit last year, but had ruled that such restrictions could be fixed from this time.
Delhi HC to hear the matter further on April 6
The Delhi HC has now put CBSE's eligibility notification on hold. It also clarified that though it had allowed students outside the criteria to apply, they don't yet have permission to sit for the exam. It ruled that private or open school students will have to belong to a recognized board to apply. It will next hear the matter on April 6.
