The Punjab Government has sought legal
opinion on conducting admissions for MBBS, BDS and post-graduate courses
in medical colleges on the basis of the National
Eligibility-cum-Entrance Test (NEET).
In its order dated July 18, the Supreme Court had scrapped holding of the NEET, thus paving the way for private colleges to conduct their own examination.Ever since it was implemented, the test has been dogged by controversies. Some states objected to holding of the exam only in one language and sought it be conducted in different regional languages.
While a few states opted out of the all-India quota, private universities and colleges went a step ahead and approached the apex court against the test.
Dr SS Gill, Vice Chancellor of Baba Farid University of Health Sciences (BFUHS), Faridkot, which is responsible for conducting admissions to various medical colleges in Punjab, said, “We are likely to go ahead with the NEET merit, as is being done by some other states. However, the final decision will be taken after a communication from the Principal Secretary, Health and Family Welfare.”
He said the matter had been represented in the Supreme Court in a review petition against its order to quash the entrance examination notification of the Medical Council of India. “Admissions for next year’s admissions might depend on its outcome. But as of now, we need to take a call on the current year’s admissions… Scrapping the test may mean a complete freedom to private institutes and may affect merit too. The change will mean more average doctors will engage in public care,” he said.
The Vice Chancellor said they would wait for an opinion from the Advocate General’s office before going ahead with the admissions.
All medical colleges in the state are affiliated to Baba Farid university. There are 10 medical colleges in Punjab with approximately 940 seats while the 17 dental colleges have around 1,200 seats.
Principal Secretary, Health and Family Welfare, Vinnie Mahajan, said, “The admission procedure for the current year will be finalised only after receiving legal opinion as it could change the entire pattern (for admissions). The issue is likely to be settled in a week.”
In its order dated July 18, the Supreme Court had scrapped holding of the NEET, thus paving the way for private colleges to conduct their own examination.Ever since it was implemented, the test has been dogged by controversies. Some states objected to holding of the exam only in one language and sought it be conducted in different regional languages.
While a few states opted out of the all-India quota, private universities and colleges went a step ahead and approached the apex court against the test.
Dr SS Gill, Vice Chancellor of Baba Farid University of Health Sciences (BFUHS), Faridkot, which is responsible for conducting admissions to various medical colleges in Punjab, said, “We are likely to go ahead with the NEET merit, as is being done by some other states. However, the final decision will be taken after a communication from the Principal Secretary, Health and Family Welfare.”
He said the matter had been represented in the Supreme Court in a review petition against its order to quash the entrance examination notification of the Medical Council of India. “Admissions for next year’s admissions might depend on its outcome. But as of now, we need to take a call on the current year’s admissions… Scrapping the test may mean a complete freedom to private institutes and may affect merit too. The change will mean more average doctors will engage in public care,” he said.
The Vice Chancellor said they would wait for an opinion from the Advocate General’s office before going ahead with the admissions.
All medical colleges in the state are affiliated to Baba Farid university. There are 10 medical colleges in Punjab with approximately 940 seats while the 17 dental colleges have around 1,200 seats.
Principal Secretary, Health and Family Welfare, Vinnie Mahajan, said, “The admission procedure for the current year will be finalised only after receiving legal opinion as it could change the entire pattern (for admissions). The issue is likely to be settled in a week.”
Mission admission
- Following the Supreme Court’s recent order quashing the common entrance test (NEET), the state government is now seeking legal opinion on the admissions
- The Supreme Court had quashed the holding of the National Eligibility-cum-Entrance Test
- In Punjab, all medical colleges are affiliated with Baba Farid University of Health Sciences, Faridkot
- There are 10 medical colleges in the state with approximately 940 seats and 17 dental colleges with around 1,200 seats
- The university is likely to go ahead with admissions on the basis of the NEET merit
