Telangana and AP to hold own medical entrance test against NEET

Hyderabad: The recent landmark ruling the Supreme Court has no bearing on the medical entrance test schedule in the state of Telangana and AP. Both the states have decided to go ahead with their entrance exam for MBBS admissions, as per the schedule.

The consortium of non-minority Telangana Private Medical Colleges' Management Association (TPMCMA) will conduct the private medical entrance test (MCET-2016) on May 20 to fill up 735 MBBS seats (35%) under 'B' category management seats in dozen private medical colleges for 2016-17 in Telangana. In total, there are 850 MBBS seats offering in five government colleges and, remaining, 2,100 seats are in private colleges.

Similarly, Andhra Pradesh Private Medical Colleges' Management Association (APPMCMA) too is conducting a separate online entrance test on May 13 to fill up its share of 35% 'B' category management MBBS seats in 13 private medical colleges for 2016-17.

Prof T Papi Reddy, chairman, Telangana State Council of Higher Education, has implied clearly in his statement that though they welcome the SC's decision to hold a single entrance exam, the NEET rule does not apply to Telangana and AP, as both are exempted under Article 371 (D). The exemption in other words, allows the state council to safeguard the education rights of the locals. So, as such both the states are exempted from contributing medical seats to 'central pool'. He also expressed that in any case it was too late to consider the ruling by SC on NEET exam. It may be considered for the next academic (2017-18) now.

C Laxminarsimha Rao, convenor, TPMCMA has echoes his view confirming further that private medical entrance would be held as per schedule on May 20. In addition he implied that for it will be for eight years more that the states will continue with their private entrance tests. J&K, along with Telangana and AP has been granted special priveledges under 371 (D).

G Srinivas, president, Telangana Junior Doctors' Association, on the contrary feel that the spirit of SC judgement should be followed by all states, irrespective of the exemptions granted.

As reported by TOI, "For both payment seats in private colleges or free seats in government medical colleges, there should be a common entrance test to fill up MBBS seats to prevent fleecing by private medical colleges on the name of capitation fees and to ensure selection of candidates take place only by merit," said Dr K Ramesh Reddy, Medical Council of India (MCI) member, while welcoming the Supreme Court judgment.

"It looks funny but MBBS aspirants in both AP and T take admissions in colleges through three different modes. There can be one EAMCET for all as this would bring in transparency in the way MBBS seats are filled up in private colleges, which resort to corruption to make money," said Dr YV Rajasekhar Reddy, a US returned doctor cum parent.