SC dismisses plea seeking NEET-UG 2021 postponement

The NEET-UG 2021 examination is scheduled to be held on September 12 in which nearly 16 candidates are likely to participate. 

The Supreme Court of India has dismissed a plea seeking rescheduling of the NEET-UG 2021 exam, scheduled to be held on September 12. The SC observed that when examinations are held for 16 lakhs students all factors are taken into account, “we can’t defer it”.

The petitioners urged postponement of the medical entrance examination the court to direct National Testing Agency (NTA) to shift the National Eligibility cum Entrance Test NEET UG exam to a suitable date soon after the ongoing board/other competitive exams.

However, the apex court has suggested petitioners approach the competent with their representation. The SC bench observed: “Relief claimed is to quash public notice issued scheduling NEET-UG 2021 on 12th Sept. For reasons canvassed by petitioners’ counsel we are not impressed nor willing to show any indulgence to petitioners or allow them to invoke remedy under Article 32.”

“If petitioners so desire they are free to make representations to the competent authority who may consider it on its own merits at earliest. Beyond this, we make it clear we haven’t expressed any opinion on several opinions canvassed,” observed the Supreme Court, as reported by Live Law.

Earlier, on September 3, the Supreme Court had adjourned the hearing on the plea to Monday (September 6). The petition filed by some of the NEET aspirants demanded quashing of the July 13 public notice issued by the NTA, scheduling National Eligibility-cum-Entrance Test-Undergraduate exams on September 12. The petitioners claimed that claimed that the notice is “manifestly arbitrary” and “in violation of Article 14 of the Constitution of India” and should be quashed.

While hearing the petiton today, the three-judge SC bench headed by Justice A M Khanwilkar and also comprising Justice Hrishikesh Roy and Justice CT Ravikumar observed that if there is a deferral of NEET it may clash with other exams, there are so many exams, reported LiveLaw.

The NTA will conduct the NEET UG 2021 exmaination on on September 12, 2021, in which around 16 lakh candidates would appear across various centres in India and abroad. 

The National Testing Agency (NTA) conducts NEET for admission to MBBS, BDS, AYUSH, Veterinary, and other medical/paramedical courses in India.  

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