NEET Exam gets constitutional status – Lok Shaba passes bills favoring it status

Lok Shaba has passed two bills favoring the National Eligibility cum Entrance Exam (NEET) examination, for its constitutional status as promugulated by the government of India, which is to be mandated from next academic year.

What is NEET Exam?

The National Eligibility cum Entrance Test or NEET-UG is a entrance examination in India, for students who wish to study any graduate medical course (MBBS), dental course (BDS) or postgraduate course (MD / MS) in government or private medical colleges in India. NEET-UG (Undergraduate), for MBBS and BDS courses, will be conducted by the Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE).

•  NEET-UG replaced the All India Pre Medical Test (AIPMT) and all individual MBBS exams conducted by states or colleges themselves. However, many colleges and institutes have taken a stay order and conducted private examinations for admission to their MBBS and BDS courses.
• Undergraduate courses at the All India Institute of Medical Sciences in New Delhi, Postgraduate Institute for Medical Education and Research in Chandigarh, Jawarharlal Institute of Postgraduate Medical Education & Research JIPMER are outside the NEET’s purview, as these institutes were set up by separate laws.

AIPMT – NEET:-

• The All India Pre Medical Test also known as AIPMT was held on May 1, 2016, it would be considered as first phase of the NEET.
• Students who have registered for Phase One will be given a chance to appear for the next phase of NEET to be held on July 24, 2016 but with a condition that candidates have to give up their NEET Phase 1 score.The above dates are as per the order of Supreme Court
• The Common  Entrance Test (CET), also known as the NEET Postgraduate exam, is for admission to postgraduate medical courses across India.
• It was held online during 23 November – 6 December 2012.The All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS) conducted a separate medical entrance test for MDS courses on July 2016.

Passing Bill in Lok Shaba:-

• The Rajya Sabha passed the Indian Medical Council (Amendment) Bill, 2016, and the Dentist (Amendment) Bill, 2016, seeking to amend the Indian Medical Council Act, 1956 and the Dentist Act, 1948.
• The bills were passed by Lok Sabha on 19 July and aim to bring private colleges under the ambit of the Indian Medical Council (Amendment) Bill and Dentist (Amendment) Bill. These two bills assign constitutional status to the NEET examination.
• The bill aims to end the multiplicity of medical examinations and pave the way for fair and transparent examinations.
• The new legislation will end exploitation of students by colleges demanding capitation fees; a common entrance exam means students will not have to travel long distances to appear for various admission tests.