JOIN USAppear for all entrance exams: state to students
The Karnataka government on Saturday said students aspiring for undergraduate medical courses will have to appear for both the National Eligibility-cum-Entrance Test (NEET) and the CET.
The government has, however, decided to move the Supreme Court against the conduct of NEET for the current academic year. The NEET Phase I examination is going to be held on May 1 from 10 am to 1 pm, in Bengaluru.
The government has made it clear that students seeking admissions to MBBS and BDS courses will have to compulsorily appear for the single entrance test NEET on May 1 (those who have applied under AIPMT). This is following the Supreme Court verdict which struck down appeals against the conduct of NEET this year. Those who have not applied under the AIPMT, will have to appear for the NEET Phase II on July 24. This apart, the government has mandated all students to appear for the CET. The ComedK exams will also be held as per the schedule on May 8, said A S Srikanth, Chief Executive, ComedK.
Following a day-long meeting, Minister of State for Medical Education Sharan Prakash Patil and Higher Education Minister T B Jayachandra told the media that this decision was arrived at as there was “no clarity” yet about the Supreme Court’s judgment.
“The students and parents are very anxious and confused. But as per the April 28 order of the Supreme Court, students are required to appear for the NEET. Several states have filed an appeal seeking the implementation of the NEET from next year and the hearing has been scheduled (on) May 3. Karnataka, too, will be making an appeal in the court. The private colleges are also set to file a petition,” said Jayachandra.
He said the government would consult the advocate general to decide upon the grounds on which Karnataka will make its appeal.
Patil said the reservation policy would prevail and the NEET was being conducted only to derive the merit.
However, it is still unclear what will happen to the results of CET and Comed-K if the Supreme Court strikes down the appeals against the NEET, yet again. Asked whether Comed-K exam would be conducted, Patil said the government had nothing to do with exams conducted by private institutions. “We don’t know what their stand is — whether or not they will conduct the exams. But the Supreme Court’s order clearly states that no other entrance exam will be considered valid.” * NEET Phase I – May 1; Phase 2 – July 24
* CET by KEA: May 4 & May 5
* ComedK: May 8
* CET exam fees: Rs 650 (general); Rs 500 (SC/ST)
* ComedK examination fees: Rs 1,200