In a major setback for Tamil Nadu, the Supreme Court on Tuesday asked the state to conduct all admissions in MBBS and BDS seats on the basis of the National Eligibility cum Entrance Test. The top court order came after the Centre made it clear that it could not support the ordinance passed by Tamil Nadu to exempt it from the NEET this year.
The apex court bench, headed by Justice Dipak Misra, said the counseling should be conducted and completed before September 4. The court was hearing a petition filed by six students seeking a direction to the state government to conduct counselling solely on the basis of the NEET merit list.
The apex court had on August 17 put on hold till Tuesday, the counselling for the medical seats in state asking the MCI and the state government to find a balanced solution to deal with the interests of state board students and those who cleared NEET.
Tamil Nadu had earlier sought exemption from NEET for this year, at least in government-funded colleges. The Centre had suggested that it would back if Tamil Nadu brought an ordinance in this regard. However, on Monday, the Union government said such a move would encourage other states to ignore the call for a common entrance exam.
The plea had alleged that the Tamil Nadu ministers were bargaining with the central government for presidential assent for their proposed ordinance to exempt the Tamil Nadu students from NEET as a "quid pro quo for supporting the NDA candidates for the Presidential and Vice Presidential polls.
