The Supreme Court has confirmed the rule that Indian students must pass NEET UG before joining undergraduate medical courses abroad. This rule was introduced by the Medical Council of India (MCI) in 2018 to ensure students meet the required academic standards before practicing medicine in India.
The court stated that making NEET compulsory is a fair and transparent rule that follows the Graduate Medical Education Regulations, 1997, and does not break any laws.
No Exemptions for Students Already Studying Abroad
Students challenging the rule argued that the Indian Medical Council Act, 1956, was not amended before making NEET mandatory. However, the Supreme Court rejected this claim, stating that the MCI had the power to introduce the rule under Section 33 of the Act.
The court also refused to give a one-time exemption, making it clear that students who took admission abroad after 2018 must follow the NEET requirement.
What the Ruling Means for Indian Students
- NEET UG is mandatory only for students who plan to study medicine abroad and later practice in India.Â
- Students can still study and work abroad without NEET, as long as they do not seek a medical license in India.Â
With this Supreme Court ruling, the 2018 NEET rule stays in place, ensuring a uniform standard for medical education and licensing.
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