NEET Effect: Iran, Sri Lanka seek Ministry of External Affairs help for foreign Students admission

New Delhi: The Supreme Court Judgement in May, making the National Eligibility cum Entrance Test (NEET), mandatory for admission to medical colleges in the country, has created a problem for foreign nationals who have thus far been applying for MBBS courses under the 'Management Quota.' In the last three months, the SC judgement has had Iran and Sri Lanka, repeatedly, write to the Ministry of External Affairs, seeking intervention for their students,who have sought provisional admissions in Indian Medical Colleges reports HT.

The NEET implementation has taken away the foreign student prerogative to seek admission under the management quota.

"NEET permits only Indian, NRIs and overseas Indians to appear for it. Foreign students have no option," said a senior official from the Embassy of Iran. "About 250 Iranian students will have to leave the country due to the apex court ruling," he said.

The Iranian authorities have expressed concern for the 2500 students pursuing various medical courses in India, who would loose an academic year due to the Supreme Court's NEET ruling. They are concerned about the consequences, if the Indian Government fails to take action on the same.

The Sri Lankan High Commission, close at heels, has also made a request of a similar nature. "Four students approached us and we wrote to the Indian government to take up their cases but there is no response yet," said an official.

"The MEA has forwarded these concerns to the Medical Council of India and Ministry of Health, but there seems to be no solution in sight," said a senior official of the Ministry of Health.

"The government should approach the Supreme Court for a clarification," the official, further added. Experts have also advised that the government make provisions for foreign students pursuing medicine in India.

There is no data available on the total number of foreign students studying MBBS course in India, with any educational body.