The latest order of Delhi High Court is a sigh of relief to Open Schools who have registered/ applied for NEET-UG 2018. The Delhi HC directed the CBSE to not reject the applications from Open School students until the decision regarding the NEET-UG eligibility criteria has been made by the court. Earlier, CBSE had allowed Open School students to register for the national-level medical entrance test following the intervention of Delhi HC.
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Recently, 13 MBBS aspirants who have completed their schooling through Open School approached the Delhi HC fearing that they would be barred from the NEET-UG examination.
Responding to the petition of the students, Acting Chief Justice Gita Mittal and Justice Hari Shankar pointed that CBSE conducts NEET as a pre-qualification for pursuing dental, medical and allied courses in the country. A challenge on eligibility criteria is pending before the court for final decision, and CBSE can allow Open School students appearing for the NEET until clarity is given on eligibility criteria by the court.
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Delhi HC also issued a notice to the Medical Council of India (MCI), CBSE and central government and sought their replies on the pleas.
An interim order issued by the HC on February 28, 2018, made it clear that Open School students can submit their application form for NEET-UG 2018. However, the order did not mention whether these candidates are allowed to sit for the exam or not.
NEET-UG 2018 is scheduled to be held on May 06, 2018.