The Undergraduate Medical Education Board of the National Medical Council released an official notice regarding the NEET-UG eligibility criteria on 22nd November 2023. The press release addresses issues related to queries, representations, and the pending court cases related to admission and the selection procedure for the MBBS course.
As per the Regulations on Graduate Medical Education of 1997, it is mandatory for students to complete a two-year training program in the subjects of Physics, Chemistry, and Biology or Biotechnology, alongside English during their 11th and 12th-grade years, from an accredited institution. It is important to note that the study of Biology, Biotechnology, or any other required subject cannot be pursued as an additional subject after completing Class 12.
However, these provisions were challenged and subsequently quashed by the Hon’ble Delhi High Court. This also had an impact on the medical students seeking admission to Foreign Medical Institutes, as it affected the eligibility requirement for taking admission in an Undergraduate Medical Course in Foreign Medical Institute Regulations 2002, and the Screening Test Regulation, 2002.
Against this backdrop, candidates were disqualified from participating in the NEET-UG examinations, and their applications for Eligibility Certificates were declined.
After detailed deliberations and discussions, The National Medical Commission framed new regulations, Graduate Medical Education Regulation, 2023. As per this regulation, candidates who have passed Class 10+2 or its equivalent with Physics, Chemistry, and Biology/Biotechnology & English are eligible for the NEET-UG examination.
In accordance with the New Education Policy, the National Medical Commission has resolved to examine the eligibility criteria. As per the revised guidelines, candidates who have successfully cleared their Class 12 examination from a duly recognized board sanctioned by the concerned government will be deemed eligible, irrespective of whether they have pursued the required subjects as additional ones.
This determination shall be applied retroactively to all candidates whose submissions were formerly denied on the basis of prior guidelines for Eligibility Certificates. However, with regards to participating in NEET-UG, those candidates who become eligible subsequent to the date of this public announcement will be granted permission to participate in NEET-UG 2024.
In this regard, court cases filed by the National Medical Council, erstwhile Medical Council of India shall be withdrawn, and the current position with this public notice shall be explained in all pending litigation filed by candidates against the NMC or MCI for swift resolution.
For further details refer to the official press release available on the official website of the NMC.
