Daijiworld Media Network-Bengaluru (RJP)

Bengaluru, May 1: State government on Saturday told the students applying for medical courses to appear for both the National Eligibility-cum-Entrance Test (NEET) and the common entrance test (CET). The government has cited 'no clarity' in recent Supreme Court verdict for this decision. The government also revealed that it has decided to move the Supreme Court against the conduct of NEET for the current academic year.

NEET phase I examination is being held on Sunday, May 1 from 10 am to 1 pm, in Bengaluru. CET examination will be held on May 4, 5 and 6. NEET phase II will be held on July 24.

While there was confusion among the aspirants about appearing in these examinations, now the government has made it very clear those students who are seeking admissions to MBBS and BDS courses (who have applied under AIPMT) will have to compulsorily appear for the single entrance test NEET on May 1. Those who have not applied under the AIPMT can appear for the NEET phase II on July 24.

Following a meeting, minister for medical education Sharan Prakash Patil and higher education minister T B Jayachandra said that the present decision was made as there was no clarity in the judgment delivered by the Supreme Court on April 28.

“We are aware that there is lot of confusion among students and parents. But as per the 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 for May 3. Karnataka will also file an appeal in the court. We will consult the advocate general to decide upon the grounds on which Karnataka will make its appeal. The private colleges are also filing a petition,” said Jayachandra.

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 as to whether t they will conduct the exams or not. But the Supreme Court’s order clearly states that no other entrance exam will be considered valid.”

The ComedK exams will also be held as per the schedule on May 8.