Now, Non- NEET Qualified Candidates can go for AYUSH courses in Haryana

More than 35 per cent seats (350 seats) in AYUSH courses are lying vacant owing to the non-availability of NEET qualified candidates

Chandigarh: After Patna and Karnataka, the Punjab and Haryana High Court has, for now, abolished the compulsion of National Eligibility cum Entrance Test (NEET) for Ayurveda, Yoga and Naturopathy, Unani, Siddha and Homoeopathy (AYUSH) courses in various medical institutions in Haryana.

In an interim order passed by the bench of honourable Justices Mahesh Grover and Arun Monga, the Kurukshetra-based Shri Krishna Ayush University (SKAU) has been directed to invite applications from NEET candidates, who intended to pursue AYUSH courses in Haryana but were unable to crack the test.

Read Also: NEET NOT Must for AYUSH Admissions: Karnataka Examinations Authority

The directive came in view of a petition filed by Rohtak-based JR Kissan Homoeopathic Medical College and Hospital, challenging a communication issued by the Union government. The petitioner approached the court seeking the court's permission to admit non-NEET qualified candidates to AYUSH courses in view of the confusion over whether NEET was mandatory for the MBBS and BDS courses.

"There was confusion over the applicability of NEET for AYUSH courses, as circular on NEET does not refer to AYUSH courses but the authorities in April this year issued directions to the institutions to make admissions only based on the NEET ranking. More than 35 per cent seats in AYUSH courses are lying vacant owing to the non-availability of NEET qualified candidates," the Director of JR Kissan Homoeopathic Medical College Director, Dr Suresh Nandal informed Tribune.

During the hearing, the bench referred to orders passed by the Patna High Court and Rajasthan High Court, while hearing similar matters.

Viewing the petitioner's side as weighted, the bench directed the Shri Krishna Ayush University (SKAU),

"To issue an advertisement regarding counselling for grant of admission in BAMS, BHMS, BUMS and BNYS courses with the stipulation that those fulfilling the eligibility conditions other than NEET would be eligible for grant of admission and hold the counselling of such candidates along with the pre-scheduled counselling."

In addition, the bench made it clear,

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  "While holding the counselling and granting admissions to the students for BAMS and BHMS including the students who have not cleared NEET, preference would be given to the candidates who have the NEET eligibility.

  
  


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  For the students without the NEET eligibility, who are granted admission, a specific stipulation would be indicated that the same would remain subject to final outcome of the writ petition."

  
  

When contacted, Dr Krishan Kumar Jatain, Registrar, SKAU, told Tribune that the counselling for the NEET qualified was underway. The registration and admission process of the non-NEET candidates would be completed in the mop-up round to be held on November 15.

He added that of more than 900 seats, about 350 were lying vacant in various colleges.

Read Also: NEET not mandatory for BUMS: Bihar High Court

Shri Krishna Ayush University (SKAU), established by the SKAU Act No. 25 of 2017, gives affiliation to all the Government and Private colleges of Ayurveda, Yoga, Unani, Siddha and Homeopathy for UG, Diploma and Certificate courses of the State Haryana.