NEW DELHI: The Supreme Court has upheld the regulation making it mandatory for Indian students to qualify the National Eligibility-cum-Entrance Test (NEET) before pursuing undergraduate medical courses abroad.
This rule, introduced in 2018 by the Medical Council of India (MCI), ensures students meet the required standards to practise medicine in India.
The apex court has ruled that making NEET UG mandatory is a fair and transparent measure and it does not violate any legal provisions. The regulation aligns with the Graduate Medical Education Regulations, 1997, and ensures uniformity in medical education standards, the court said.
A Bench of Justices BR Gavai and K Vinod Chandran heard the petition in the Supreme Court.
No exemption
Students challenging the rule argued that the Indian Medical Council Act, 1956, was not amended before introducing the requirement. However, the apex court held that the MCI had the authority to enforce it under Section 33 of the Act.
“We find absolutely no reason to interfere with the regulations,” the bench said.
“Obviously, with open eyes, after the amended regulations came into effect if any candidate chose to obtain admission in a foreign institution for pursuing a course leading to a primary medical qualification, they cannot seek for an exemption from the regulations; which lays down essential eligibility criteria for practicing medicine within the country. This does not restrict their right to practise anywhere outside India,” the bench said.
The court rejected requests for a one-time exemption, stating that students who took admission abroad after the amended regulations were implemented must comply.
While the rule applies only to those who wish to study medicine abroad and practise in India, students can still study and work in other countries without NEET.