National Eligibility cum Entrance Test, better known as NEET, that replaced the All India Pre-Medical Test (AIPMT) conducted to shortlist candidates for MBBS and BDS courses, will now cover the Indian states of Telangana and Jammu & Kashmir as well. These states had until now enjoyed the special category status.
With this NEET, which is conducted in two phases, will be covering the entire country. “Via order dated April 28, 2016, the SC has allowed conduct of NEET (UG) in two phases. NEET extends in the entire country including Andhra Pradesh, Telangana and Jammu & Kashmir for admission in UG and PG medical courses”, the Union Health Minister, Mr. JP Nadda stated in an interview.
Nadda also shared that the Medical Council of India (MCI), with the prior approval of central government of India, had notified that NEET would be conducted for admission to various undergraduate and post graduate medical courses. This had been done by making amendments in the Graduate Medical Education Regulations, 1997 and Post Graduate Medical Education Regulations, 2000, back in the year 2010 itself for the academic year 2012-13.
In 2012, the Medical Council of India issued a fresh notification to hold this test for the year 2013-2014 however the Supreme Court of India refused to implement the National Eligibility cum Entrance Test in the judgement passed in the year 2013. NEET has finally been implemented from this year.