NEET MDS 2024 aspirants approach Supreme Court again after NBE decides not to postpone exam

NEW DELHI: After the National Board of Examinations (NBE) announced the extension of National Eligibility-cum-Entrance Test Masters of Dental Surgery (NEET MDS 2024) internship cut-off date, the aspirants have once again approached the Supreme Court to direct the Union government to postpone NEET MDS exam 2024 to July.

The apex court on February 21 disposed of the NEET MDS 2024 postponement case. It clarified that it had not expressed any opinion on the matter and the Centre was “more suited to take a call on the issue.” Although the top court directed the Union government to make a decision within a week, the Centre did not provide any clarity on the postponement for nearly 2 weeks.

However, the NBEMS, in a notice dated March 7, extended the cut-off date for completion of internship to June 30 for NEET MDS. Several student groups, activists and medicos have expressed disappointment and urged the ministry of health to postpone NEET MDS exam date for better preparation.

Postpone NEET MDS 2024

The counsel appearing for the aspirants told the top court that the Union government has not taken any action on postponement despite assuring the bench. Following this, “the petitioners filed a Miscellaneous Application (MA) seeking the restoration of the writ petition which was disposed of by the Court on February 21 based on the Union's assurance,” the Live Law reported.

The bench comprising CJI DY Chandrachud and Justices JB Pardiwala and Manoj Misra were hearing the matter. The CJI said that a date will be fixed soon for the hearing.

NEET MDS internship cut-off extended

Yesterday, the NBE announced the extension on NEET MDS internship completion cut-off date to June 30 for the purpose of eligibility of students. The board received representation from several students as their internship deadline was beyond the cut-off date set earlier at March 31.

The NEET MDS registration window will be reopened once again for candidates who will be completing internship during the extended cut-off period between April 1 to June 30. Such candidates will be able to fill the application form between March 9 to 11 on the official website, natboard.edu.in.

It has also postponed the NEET MDS admit card release date to March 15, three days prior to the exam.

NEET MDS 2024 not postponed

The NBE has decided not to postpone the NEET MDS exam 2024. “The NEET-MDS 2024 shall be conducted as per the pre-notified schedule on 18thMarch 2024,” as per the latest update.

Thanking the ministry for extending the internship cut-off date, FAIMA doctors association said: “However, it would have been better if students would have got more time to prepare for the exams and postponement till July. We still request to reconsider upon the date of exams as well.”

The National Students' Union of India (NSUI) in a recent post on X said: “More than 8,000 NEET MDS aspirants are denied from taking the exam. It is a clear failure of DCI to check the eligibility and effectively communicate it to the aspirants. The exam is less than 2 weeks away and it is leading to panic among students.”

“NSUI demands immediate intervention by NEET to increase the eligibility criteria for the 8,000 students. Reschedule the #NEETMDS2024 exam to bring parity with #NEETPG and give proper time for its preparation. And lastly, Conduct common counselling and admission after the exam,” it added.