After Common Entrance test, SC to take a call on Centralised Counselling

New Delhi: With a common entrance test for all undergraduate medical courses in colleges having been decided upon, the Supreme Court will now be taking a decision on centralised counselling session within a state for institutional allotment.

Madhya Pradesh and Maharashtra are the two states that have moved the top court, seeking a directive on private medical colleges for admission of candidates, attending state government counselling.Both states have taken a stand that a centralised counselling session be conducted for students in order to help them, from falling prey, to multiple counselling and clashing dates.

The decision in this regards is bound to have an impact on other states as well. A Justice Dave headed bench will commence hearing on Monday.

On April 29, the supreme court ordered a single window test –NEET, in two phases for the benefit of aspirants, who were forced to sit for multiple examinations for a medical seat. However, a central government notification, later, exempted states from NEET.

The state of Maharashtra informed the Supreme Court that the Centre in its August 9 communication to the principal secretaries of states and union territories, gave them permission, for combined counselling for admissions to undergraduate courses.

Subsequently, another resolution dated August 20, by the state, was put a stay on by the Bombay High Court,when a deemed universities challenged it. According to the state, the resolution was meant to bring about transparency, submitting that every deemed university charged Rs. 5000 for every counselling session. With eight such universities in Maharashtra, this has lead to an expense of Rs. 40,000 per student. On the other hand, in the case of common counselling, the aspirant has to pay a mere Rs. 1000 only.