Supreme Court to give final verdict on NEET age limit on March 31

New Delhi:Medical Aspirants anxiously await the Supreme Court's verdict on the age and attempts criteria of National Eligibility cum Entrance Test( NEET-2017) on March 31, 2017. A number of petitions were submitted in court post the government's decision on limiting the age to 25, for appearing in the single Common Eligibility Entrance Test (NEET) for admission in medical colleges.

The Supreme Court mandated Oversight Committee, headed by Former Justice RM Lodha, suggested removal of age cap.

The Medical Council of India(MCI), Vice President Dr. CV Bhirmanandam, informed the press that the apex regulating body will be conceding to the suggestions of the Oversight Committee.

"The Oversight Committee felt such limitations will reduce the number of doctors in the country. The Union Health Ministry agreed and suggested the recommendations to us. We have passed it," said Dr Bhirmandandam.

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A petition of a similar nature questioning the imposition of age criteria was also filed in the Allahabad High Court. Activist Anand Rai part of the petitioners group said that a 20,000 strong group of medical aspirants were waiting for the government's decision in this regard. However, the court has clarified that that those candidates who have filed petitions or approached them by March 1 (the last date to submit )will get the age-limit relaxation. "This will be unfair to many as not everyone can approach the court. It will upset the rural students," said Rai to the Indian Express.

The Central Board of Secondary Education's (CBSE)announcement on the age and attempt criteria for National Eligibility cum Entrance Test(NEET) made in January, raised many a voice of protest and a demand for taking back of the decision. The Medical Council of India (MCI) had then announced National Eligibility cum Entrance Test NEET 2017 to be counted as the first attempt, while keeping the age criteria unchanged.