After the Supreme Court insisted that all medical admissions should be through NEET, students wonder if they should give the tests at other institutions
Admissions to undergraduate medical courses this year appear to be chaotic. Even as there is no conclusive solution to the confusion over the National Eligibility and Entrance Test (NEET), students’ concerns have multiplied, with different entrance examinations lined up for admission to institutes in private or deemed universities.
Some students at the DAV School in Airoli — a test centre for NEET — alleged that the gates were closed early and they were barred from the exam
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While the Supreme Court is insisting on all medical admissions through NEET alone, Maharashtra, with a few other states, is hoping to continue its Common Entrance Test (CET) considering that students have prepared for it. Maharashtra is to submit a review petition in the SC, requesting exemption from NEET, either completely or at least for this year. Several students who appeared for NEET (phase I) yesterday, are worried about tests by private and deemed universities.
Chetna Gade, who appeared for NEET said, “I had already applied for AIPMT (All India Pre-Medical Test) which is now NEET (phase I), so I am less worried whether state CET is conducted. But if SC is stating that all undergraduate medical admissions are to be through NEET, the big question is, are we supposed to ignore other entrance tests by private universities? What happens to the money that we have paid for registering there? All these questions also need to be answered.”
Another student, Rashmi Bagwe, has begun registration for NEET (phase II). “The objective behind NEET of having just one entrance test across India, is not being fulfilled. Then why is there such a hurry to implement it?” questioned Rashmi.
“We have gone through cumbersome application processes which included registration fee as well. What happens to the money? Are these tests to be held, even if there is no clarity whether institutes will be allowed to consider the score of these tests, despite SC’s order? All this has to be taken into consideration before taking a decision,” said a tense parent.
Barred from test
While NEET was conducted smoothly at some places; at DAV Public school — a test centre in Airoli, a few students alleged that the gates were closed 2-3 minutes early and because of that they were not allowed to take the test.
Vaibhav Phad, a resident of Aurangabad reached Mumbai two days ago to appear for NEET (phase I), said, “Candidates could enter the centre till 9.30 am as the paper was scheduled to begin at 10 am. I reached at 9.28 am but the gate was closed. There were around 20 of us. The school could have been more considerate.”
Another student, Akshata Masali said, “Calling the AIPMT helpline was of no help because they told us that we should have reached early.” Repeated attempts to call the school authorities were in vain.
More tests
On May 11, DY Patil University (New Mumbai) and Krishna Institute of Medical Science (Karad) have their entrance tests. The Datta Meghe Institute of Medical Science and MGM University of Health Science at Navi Mumbai have their entrance tests on May 21.
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