SC recalls order exempting private medical colleges from NEET

New Delhi: Recalling its earlier order, the Supreme Court on Monday said admission to private medical colleges will be on the basis of entrance tests conducted under the National Eligibility-cum-Entrance Test (NEET).

In its earlier order, the apex court had ruled that admissions to private medical colleges did not need to be routed through NEET and they could admit students in undergraduate and post-graduate courses on the basis of tests conducted.

Allowing the plea for the review of its July 18, 2013, order, the apex court constitution bench -- comprising Justices Anil R. Dave, A.K. Sikri, R.K. Agrawal, Adarsh Kumar Goel and R. Banumathi -- recalled the order that exempted the private medical college from admitting students in medical courses through NEET.

The review was sought by the Medical Council of India (MCI). Recalling the order, the constitution bench directed fresh hearing of the matter.

The order will affect over 600 private medical colleges in the country. The apex court bench, in a majority verdict on July 18, 2013, had held that MCI has no powers to conduct NEET as it can only regulate medical education.