Supreme Court removes age cap for NEET examination

The Supreme Court has finally directed CBSE to allow students above 25 years to apply for the National Eligibility cum Entrance Test (NEET) UG exam.

The MCI and CBSE said that further application would be difficult as the last date for applications are closed. However, eligible candidates can fill the application form for the examination on the online portal of CBSE by April 5. Dr Saiyam Bhardwaj, joint secretary, CBSE assured Supreme Court that the portal would be opened by the evening of 31st March, 2017.

The Counsel (petitioner) had stated that in the absence of any regulation by the Medical Council of India (MCI), the age limit for NEET eligibility cannot be fixed. The argument was also made that some students desire to take the NEET examination after their graduation. In addition, the Oversight Committee on the MCI, had also recommended the removal of maximum age limit citing a shortage of doctors in the country.

Students had earlier expressed dissent on the decision that had restricted the age limit at 25 years and had limited the number of attempts at three.