Clarity on seat matrix only after SC verdict on NEET: minister

The Karnataka government would have no clarity over the seat matrix in medical colleges till the Supreme Court gives its verdict on the implementation of National Eligibility and Entrance Test (NEET), said Medical Education minister Sharanprakash Patil.

Karnataka on Monday impleaded before the Supreme Court seeking exemption from implementation of NEET this year. The matter will come up for hearing on May 3.

He said that the April 28 verdict mandating implementation of NEET had caught all states by surprise.

“None of the state governments saw this coming. The matter was heard based on a PIL filed in the court,” he said. 

He said that though students had “casually” applied for AIPMT (NEET), their main focus was the Common Entrance Test (CET) of the Karnataka Examination Authority.

“I know the pulse of the students. They have prepared for the CET, not knowing about NEET. Those appearing for NEET phase 2 (July 24) have additional time of three months.

This duality shouldn’t have been there, as it has led to a lot of confusion. This is the reason we have sought an exemption,” he said.

He said that if the Supreme Court agreed to Karnataka’s appeal, merit would be derived from CET. If not, there might be a variation in the seat matrix, the minister said.

Patil said that if NEET is to be implemented, there will be issues related to fee structure as well, which will have to be looked into.

He maintained that the reservation quota will not be meddled with. Unlike many states where the NRI quota is 15%, Karnataka is the only state where the NRI quota stands at 20%.