NEET-SS 2024: SC Issues Notice on Plea against NMC’s Decision of Not Holding Exam

The Supreme Court on Friday sought responses from the Centre and others regarding a plea challenging the National Medical Commission’s (NMC) decision not to conduct the NEET-Super Speciality (NEET-SS) examination in 2024.

The NEET-SS exam, available to doctors holding post-graduate degrees such as MD, MS, and DNB or equivalent qualifications, is required for admission to super-speciality courses.

A bench comprising CJI D Y Chandrachud along with Justices JB Pardiwala and Manoj Misra was informed by a lawyer representing 13 aspirants that the NMC had decided not to hold the exam this year. According to news reports, the NEET-SS is likely to be conducted in January 2025.

Issuing notices to the Centre, Medical Counselling Committee, and the NMC, the bench also permitted petitioners Rahul Balwan and 12 others to include the National Board of Examinations (NBE) as a party to the petition.

The matter is scheduled for further hearing on July 26, 2024.

The petitioners referenced a prior judgment stating that NEET-SS must be held annually and emphasized that the Supreme Court has already established a timetable for super-speciality course admissions.

The lawyer indicated that the decision to postpone the exam this year appears to be a result of earlier delays in medical course admissions due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

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