Conducting Neet and exit test for medical students is unconstitutional: AK Rajan

Chennai: In a strong criticism of National Medical Commission Bill 2017, Justice A.K. Rajan, former judge of Madras high court, said, “The provisions in the draft bill to conduct National Eligibility-cum-Entrance Test (Neet) and National Exit Test (Next) is unconstitutional.”

“The power to regulate universities is within the exclusive domain of state legislatures and the central government has no power to make this law,” he said while addressing a seminar on 'Health-Education and Constitution' here on Monday.

The seminar was organised on the occasion of National Law Day to discuss the NMC bill 2017.

The bill has three crucial sections clauses 10, 14 and 15 which are prescribing the powers of the commission, conducting Neet for medical admission and an exit exam for medical graduates.

“When the Act comes into force, a medical student cannot be admitted without passing Neet and even after completing the course and clearing the exams the student cannot be conferred with the degree by the universities unless the student passes an exit examination,” Justice A.K. Rajan said.

Now, after agreeing with the departmental select committee, the Central government has decided to conduct a common final year examination at the national level.

“The conduct of Neet and Next or common final year exam would be tantamount to the central government taking complete of all the universities established by state legislatures and that amounts to an alteration of one of the basic structures of the constitution,” he argued.

He further said if these provisions come into force there won't be any qualified medical professions in the rural area.

The ethical board which is mentioned in the National Medical Commission Bill 2017 was already constituted when the bill is yet to be passed by Parliament, he pointed out.

Justice P.Shanmugam, former judge of Madras high court, professor R.Manivannan, head, department of politics and public administration, University of Madras, educationist Prince Gajendrababu and others spoke at the event.