New Delhi|In a noteworthy, decision Supreme Court recalled its earlier order on Monday. The Court said in its judgement admission to private medical colleges will be on the basis of common entrance tests conducted under the NEET (National Eligibility Entrance Test).
A five-judge Constitution Bench headed by Justice AR Dave were unanimous in saying that the July 18, 2013, 2:1 verdict of the three-judge bench, which had paved the way for private colleges to conduct their own examination, “needs reconsideration” as “the majority view has not taken into consideration some binding precedents”.
In its earlier order, the apex court had ruled that admissions to private medical colleges did not need to be routed through NEET and they could admit students in undergraduate and post-graduate courses on the basis of tests conducted.
Allowing the plea for the review of its 18 July, 2013, order, the apex court constitution bench — comprising Justices Anil R. Dave, A.K. Sikri, R.K. Agrawal, Adarsh Kumar Goel and R. Banumathi — recalled the order that exempted the private medical college from admitting students in medical courses through NEET.
The review was sought by the Medical Council of India (MCI).
Recalling the order, the constitution bench directed fresh hearing of the matter.
The order will affect over 600 private medical colleges in the country.
The apex court bench, in a majority verdict on 18 July, 2013, had held that MCI has no powers to conduct NEET as it can only regulate medical education.
The five judge bench further said” we are of the view that the judegment delivered in Christian Medical College (supra) needs reconsideration. We do not propose to state reasons in detail at this stage so as to see that it may not prejudicially affect the hearing of the matters,”
