NEET Not Mandatory for Students Currently Enrolled in Medical Courses Abroad: Health Ministry

The Union Health Ministry confirmed that the mandatory rule to qualify NEET for pursuing medical courses abroad is not applicable to students who have already taken admission. These students are exempted from NEET as per the current regulations of MCI. However, the NEET rule will be applicable to Indian citizens who wish to obtain a primary medical qualification from medical colleges outside India on or after May 2018. These aspirants will have to qualify NEET to pursue MBBS aboard, clarified by Health Ministry.

Also Read: NEET-UG 2018; Estimated Cut-Off, Opening and Closing Ranks

Recently, MCI issued an official notice stating that Indian students aspiring to pursue medical courses in international colleges and universities aboard will have to qualify NEET. Within a few days after the decision of MCI, the Union Health Ministry received grievances from students who had already taken admission to MBBS course abroad. These students urged the Health Ministry to give exemption from the requirement of qualifying National Eligibility cum Entrance Test (NEET).

According to sources, the latest decision of MCI will come into effect from May 2018.

Also Read: Free NEET Coaching to be Launched by Telangana Govt. in March

The NEET-UG 2018 Application Process is underway. Aspirants can submit the application form in online mode until March 09, 2018. Students who received messages from CBSE to re-upload the photograph will have to wait until March 12, 2018. The NEET application correction window will be active from March 12 to March 16, 2018.

After MCI confirmed NIOS students ineligible for NEET, the authorities of NIOS sought the intervention of HRD and Health Ministry. So far, there is no clarity whether the government will consider NIOS students eligible for NEET or not.