Students who have completed their class 12 education from recognized boards and have studied physics, chemistry, biology, or biotechnology along with English, even as an additional subject, will now be eligible to take the NEET-UG test.
The National Medical Commission (NMC) issued a public notice stating that this decision applies retroactively, even for students whose applications were previously rejected.
Read on to find out all the details about this new development!
12th Pass Students Eligible For NEET-UG Test
The earlier Regulations on Graduate Medical Education, 1997, set by the erstwhile Medical Council of India (MCI), required candidates to have two years of regular study in physics, chemistry, biology, or biotechnology in classes 11 and 12, along with English.
This study had to be completed in regular schools, not as private candidates or through open schools. Additionally, the study of biology or biotechnology as a requisite subject could not be undertaken as an additional subject after passing class 12.
However, these provisions were challenged and subsequently quashed by the Delhi High Court on May 11, 2018. This led to the rejection of applications by candidates seeking admission to graduate and primary medical courses in foreign medical institutes.
Which Candidates Will Be Eligible For NEET-UG Test?
In response to the New Education Policy and with a focus on flexibility in Class 12 subjects, the NMC, in its meeting on June 14, 2023, decided to revisit the previous approach and permit candidates to study the required subjects (physics, chemistry, biology/biotechnology, and English) even as additional subjects after class 12.
Such candidates will now be allowed to appear in the NEET-UG test and will be eligible for an eligibility certificate.
As per the statement, the NMC “decided that the previous approach of the erstwhile Medical Council of India needs to be revisited by permitting candidates to undertake study of the requisite subjects (Physics, Chemistry, Biology / Biotechnology alongwith English) even as additional subjects after passing Class 12th from duly recognized boards by the concerned Government.”
This decision is applicable retrospectively, including cases where eligibility certificate applications were previously rejected. However, candidates becoming eligible after the public notice date will be permitted to appear in NEET-UG-2024. Furthermore, ongoing court cases filed by MCI/NMC on this matter will be withdrawn, and the current position will be communicated in pending litigations filed by candidates against MCI or NMC for prompt resolution.
