CMC Ludhiana to hold additional aptitude test for NEET based merit candidates

Ludhiana: If NEET shocker was not enough for state medical aspirants to deal with earlier, one of the state's prestigious institutes, CMC Ludhiana has now set its own terms for students seeking admissions in the college. CMC has recently made an announcement that students will be provided admission based on joint merit of NEET and CMC's own aptitude test.

CMC has decided to conduct its own aptitude test for providing medical admissions.

The news has but of course put students under stress now. It was earlier the pressure of NEET, which was perceived to be tough for many students, for many reasons. One reason is the CBSE syllabus preparation for NEET, with students following state board syllabus. Another prime reason was the delay in verdict on NEET as the medical entrance gateway for admissions in private medical colleges. Now, after giving their best for NEET, by preparing in a short span of time-even the sanctity of conducting Neet is under question.

CMC offers 75 MBBS seats. Out of which 50% seats are under reservation for Christian minority. Even 40 BDS seats are reserved for the Christian minority.

General-category and minority candidates both are now required to appear for a mandatory aptitude test. The candidates are required to sign up for the exam from August 5.

As an obvious reaction, parents have expressed their anguish over the sudden news shared by CMC. The parents are now saying that the test will be illegal. Their allegation is based on the premise that private medical colleges have been directed by the SC and the centre both, to provide admission of NEET score. This includes admission to MBBS and BDS course.

A candidate's parent, Rajinder Sangha of SAS Nagar implied that this is a clear violation of the SC's order on providing medical admissions in private colleges. It will also defeat the very purpose of conducting NEET. The state authorities should now take this matter in their own hands.

College registrar Dr George Koshy said to HT newspaper that the test was necessary. "The college mandate requires students to serve in rural areas after graduating. NEET is subject-based assessment, while our aptitude test will judge the candidates' joint merit and overall personality for the doctor's job," he said. "It is not a violation of the Supreme Court orders, as we have introduced the test on the advice of our legal team."

Chandigarh-based PMT (PreMedical Test) trainer Arvind Goyal said the college planned to tweak the merit list. "A separate Bible test to fill minority students is understandable. Sikh candidates take a similar test at Amritsar's Sri Guru Ram Das Medical College," he said, "But where is NEET's sanctity, if students have to prove their eligibility again."