The Centre on Friday told the Supreme Court that it has extended the internship cut-off date for the NEET MDS exam from March 31, 2024 to June 30, 2024.
Considering the submissions made by the Centre, the Supreme Court closed an application lodged by the NEET MDS aspirants seeking to reschedule the exam which is due on March 18, 2024. The application also sought directions to extend cut-off eligibility after revising the internship completion dates.
The Supreme Court refused to pass orders to postpone the exam from the scheduled date. The court added that nearly 28,000 students are appearing for the exam.
The Centre on February 21 informed the Supreme Court that it was examining the grievances of NEET-MDS candidates regarding the extension of the internship deadline. Taking cognisance of this stand of the Centre, the top court on February 21 disposed of the petition filed by the students, allowing them to file a representation before the authorities.
Previous week, the students filed a miscellaneous application to reopen the petition, mentioning that the Centre has not taken a decision. Considering that application today, the bench of CJI DY Chandrachud, Justice JB Pardiwala and Justice Manoj Misra was informed of the decision taken by the Centre to extend the internship cut-off date.
Furthermore, the bench was also informed today that the exam will take place on Monday. The Centre stated that the portal for registering for the exam will be open for three days and that 568 students have registered as a result of the decision to extend the cut-off date.
Recording the statement, the bench closed the application. The bench observed that it cannot pass further orders for relief in a miscellaneous application and said that the petitioners could initiate other legal proceedings if they have any further grievances.
Appearing for the petitioners, Senior Advocate Colin Gonsalves pressed for the postponement of the exam, emphasizing that the students are only halfway through the clinical course. The Senior Advocate also referred to the 2023 order of the Telangana High Court which stated that there should be a uniform cut-off date across the country. He argued that leaving out 8000 students who have not finished their course is unjust.
Gaurav Sharma on behalf of the NDC contended that the exam schedule for dental courses were affected due to Covid19 and a conscious effort is being made by the Commission to bring the schedule back on rails.
The Court remarked that they are unable to subscribe to the submission that there should be parity between NEET-MDS and NEET PG. It added that it cannot intervene in a policy decision taken by the authorities. It noted that on parameters of judicial review, they think it is inappropriate to interfere at this stage. Consecutively, the court declined to intervene in the present matter.