NEET not mandatory for admission to BUMS course, rules Patna HC

NEW DELHI, OCTOBER 13: The High Court of Patna has rejected the order of the Ministry of AYUSH which directed all the states to take admission to AYUSH courses on the basis of NEET only. The petition challenging the order was filed by the association of Bihar Private Unani Medical Colleges.

The Patna High Court in its order stated that candidates who have not appeared for National Eligibility cum Entrance Test (NEET) can also apply for BUMS course which is offered by Government Tibbi College, Patna only in the state. The single judge bench comprising Justice Chakradhari Sharan Singh passed the judgement on October 10.

The petitioners’ council Abhinav Shrivastava and Raushan said that the letter which NEET must for AYUSH courses was issued by the ministry on February 12. The letter quoted point no. 12 of the information bulletin of NEET 2018, “The result of the NEET (UG) may be utilized by other entities of Central/State Governments for admission purpose in accordance with their rules.” Further, the Central/State government were ordered to make this information public so that AYUSH aspirants can apply for NEET. The copy of the order can be checked here-

Bihar government released the letter stating the same information on March 23 much later than the last date of submitting the NEET application form (March 9). On this basis, the order was challenged by the petitioners. In addition, it was brought into light that the ministry could not exercise such changes through an executive order. If the changes have to be introduced then the Central Council for Indian Medicine, the regulatory body, should have amended the regulation.

The court was not satisfied with the Centre’s reply on whether the ministry can bring changes without making amendments to the regulation and revoked the ministry’s order. The decision of the court is bound to bring ramifications in the country. Recently, Karnataka High Court order has suggested the state government to admit non-NEET students for AYUSH courses.