Three more attempts for medical aspirants

CBSE says previous attempts at NEET won't be counted

Medical aspirants, who have already availed the three attempts permissible to clear the nationwide test for admissions to medical and dental colleges prior to 2017, may now try their luck three more times provided they are not older than 25 years. The Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE) has notified that the three attempts permissible for candidates writing the upcoming National Eligibility-cum-Entrance Test (NEET) will be counted from 2017 onwards.

“It has been clarified by the Medical Council of India (MCI) that the attempts made by candidates through AIPMT/NEET prior to 2017 should not be counted. Accordingly, appearance in NEET-2017 will be counted as the first attempt by candidates, irrespective of their previous attempts,” the CBSE notified on Friday. Other rules and conditions laid down in the  admission notice and information bulletin for NEET-2017 remain the same, it clarified.

For those writing NEET, the upper age limit is 25 years as on the date the nationwide test is conducted, while the minimum age remains 17. Candidates belonging to reserved category get  relaxation of five years in the upper age limit, according to the examination notice issued by the Board on January 31. When candidate registration opened for NEET on Tuesday, the Board had said candidates who had already made three attempts would not be eligible to write the  entrance test this year.

The department of health and family welfare sought a clarification from the MCI, which replied that the permissible three attempts may be counted afresh from NEET-2017. “Changes have been effected by CBSE in the online application. Candidates who could not fill the application form because of having completed three attempts under AIPMT/NEET, will now be able to apply,” the Board stated. Prior to the Supreme Court order last year to hold NEET for admissions to medical colleges across the country, the CBSE conducted All India Pre-Medical/Dental Test (AIPMT). After the apex court order for holding a single entrance from 2016, the Board replaced AIPMT with NEET.