Medical Dialogues Impact: NTA invites NEET applications from PwD candidates based on Amended MCI Disability rules

New Delhi: Bringing a strong sense of relief of disabled candidates who were being discriminated against in the applications for NEET 2019 due to the older MCI guidelines in disability, the NTA in a public notice announced that such candidates can apply based on the revised MCI guidelines

Through a recent official notice, the National Testing Agency (NTA), the examination conducting body for National Eligibility cum Entrance Test for Under-Graduate medical courses for this year, NEET 2019; has finally invited applications from Persons with Disabilities (PwD) Candidates in MBBS/BDS Courses based on revised guidelines.

The notice states,

"As per the advice received from the Ministry of Health & Family Welfare, Government of India vide letter dated 20.11.2018, it is hereby informed that the PwD candidates may fill in the Online Application Form of NEET (UG) – 2019 on the basis of the draft guidelines placed on the website of the Medical Council of India (MCI).

... In case, any changes are made in the draft notification by MCI, the candidate may correct the particulars of the application at the time when correction facility in the application form is available i.e. from 14.01.2019 to 31.01.2019."

Medical Dialogues team has extensively reported about the setback that disabled candidates have been facing when it comes to MBBS/BDS admission. Even the last MBBS admission session saw a series of petitions being filed before various courts including the apex court in the country, calling the MCI guidelines arbitrary, discriminatory and also standing in violation of the Disabilities Act.

Read Also:

NEET 2019: Apathy against Disabled Candidates Continues

On November 16, the MCI released the new amendments to the disability rules for MBBS admissions inviting public comments. Medical Dialogues was the first to report about these amendments and their lack of incorporation in the NEET 2019 brochure for the benefit of the current students.

Read Also: MCI BOG introduce Amendments to Disability Rules for MBBS, invite Comments

The dilemma for such candidates was made worse for the candidates as, by the time MCI finalised the new guidelines, the application process of NEET 2019 would be over.

Medical Activists under the umbrella organisation Doctors with Disabilities- Agents of Change wrote to the MCI Board of Governors providing point by point response on the amendments and also demanding that the NEET 2019 deadline be extended till the amendments are finalised so that current candidates as also able to take benefit of the revised guidelines.

Read Also: Extend last date of Application of NEET: Doctors with Disabilities tell MCI BOG

Finally, providing relief to such candidates, the NTA clarified PwD candidates may fill in the Online Application Form of NEET (UG) – 2019 on the basis of the draft guidelines placed on the website of the Medical Council of India

The same notice extended the deadline of NEET applications in the light of the recent Supreme court judgement

The NTA notice went on to add,

"It is also informed that in view of the Hon'ble Supreme Court's Order in SLP (C) No(s). 14320/2018 and in other connected matters, dated 29th November 2018, the petitioners/candidates who are 25 years of age and above shall be entitled to apply and appear in the NEET (UG)-2019 examination provisionally subject to final outcome of these matters.

The last date of submission of Online Application Form has also been extended from 30.11.2018 to 07.12.2018 and fee payment from 01.12.2018 to 08.12.2018 (through Credit/Debit Card/Net-Banking/UPI upto 11:50 p.m. of 08.12.2018 and through e-challan (SBI) upto bank hours of 08.12.2018)."

Read Also: SC allows Older MBBS aspirants over 25 to apply for NEET 2019, Deadline Extended

For the notice, click on the link given below:

https://www.nta.ac.in/Download/Public_Notice_NEET.pdf