In its review petition to SC, govt says students need at least two years to prepare, also cites negative marking and different syllabus of test
In the review petition in the Supreme Court against the court's Thursday order on the National Eligibility and Entrance Test (NEET) replacing all state-level tests for MBBS and BDS admission from this year itself, the state has said NEET should be implemented from 2018 and not "two days" ahead of the exam.
Besides the "last-minute decision", the state in its review petition has also cited NEET's "negative marking" and CBSE-based syllabus as "major reasons" for opposing its implementation from 2016. The SC will hear the plea on Tuesday.
Explaining the state's point of view, director of medical education and research Dr Pravin Shingare told dna, "Students need at least two years to prepare for the medical entrance test. Hence, NEET should be introduced in 2018."
"We have also said the NEET has negative marking and is based on CBSE syllabus, while our test is based on state board syllabus sans negative marking. Also, NEET carries 720 marks, while CET 200," he added.
The government said over 85% schools in Maharashtra offer state board education.
The state is strongly batting for those Maharashtra candidates who took the AIPMT, which has now been converted to NEET phase 1 that was held on May 1. It has also requested that those who appeared in NEET-1 be allowed to appear in NEET-2 as well.
"They had applied for the AIPMT casually as they focused on CET. It would be injustice to them if the exam which they sat for casually decides their career," said Shingare.
The CBSE had earlier made it clear that those who had applied for the AIPMT May 1 test can't appear in the NEET-2 on July 24 to accommodate all those who didn't apply before.
The petition has also stated that the NEET is being held in two phases in which two different papers would be given, and assessment of candidates on two different tests is not right.
The state has also cited in the plea that the MH-CET is being held for the government and private colleges, a decision taken considering the welfare of poor students. Also, the CET is based on state board syllabus to give a level-playing field to students from rural and underprivileged backgrounds.
Fate of over 1.4 lakh medical aspirants from Maharashtra is hanging in the balance since the apex court scrapped state-level entrance tests in the country. MH-CET is slated on May 5; its aspirants have now pinned their hopes on the outcome of the review petition. Candidates in other states, where tests have already been conducted or are being held soon, also hope that the court revises its decision.
Tawde reaches Delhi, meets Irani and Nadda
State education minister flew to Delhi on Monday to supervise the review petition and seek support from related agencies. Sources said he met HRD minister Smriti Irani and health minister JP Nadda to apprise them about the state's point of view, so that the CBSE and the MCI prepare their sides accordingly for Tuesday's hearing. The CBSE comes under the MHRD, while the MCI comes under the health ministry.
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