Govt issues NEET ordinance as gazette notification

New Delhi: The Indian Medical Council (Amendment) Ordinance 2016, signed by President Pranab Mukherjee on Tuesday states that irrespective of any court order, states will be free to hold medical entrance exams for this academic year.

The ordinance which was issued this evening in the form of a gazette notification states that “…notwithstanding any judgement or order of any court, the provision of this section shall not apply in relation to the uniform entrance examination at the undergraduate level…

“…for the academic year 2016-17 conducted in accordance with any regulations made under this Act in respect of state government seats (whether in govt medical colleges or in private medical colleges) where such state has not opted for such examinations.”

The ordinance was clearly referring to a recent Supreme Court verdict which said that second phase of NEET will be held on 24 July and will be applicable to all government and private medical colleges.

At the same time, the ordinance makes it clear that there will be a “uniform entrance examination to all medical institutions at the undergraduate level and post-graduate level through such designated authority…

“…in Hindi, English and such other languages and in such manner as may be prescribed and the designated authority shall ensure the conduct of uniform entrance examination in the aforesaid manner,” the notification said.

The Union Cabinet cleared the ordinance hours after both Houses of Parliament were prorogued by the President on 19 May.

As per law, at least one of the House of Parliament should not be in session to enable the government to come out with an ordinance.