MBBS common entrance test, rejected by most of the States

The Union Health Ministry’s ambitious proposal to introduce Common Entrance Test (CET) for post-graduates and undergraduates in medicine has been given thumbs down by majority of States at the three-day Hyderabad conclave that concluded on Thursday.

Sources said that several States opposed the move of the Central Government to bring all medical institutes under the ambit of one common admission test (CAT). Gujarat and Tamil Nadu Health Ministries took the lead in strongly opposing the move. Those who opposed had contended that it (CET) would amount to inference in the rights of the States.

Sources said that at the three-day meet, Union Health Minister Ghulam Nabi Azad personally tried to explain to the State officials about the benefits of the CET, claiming that it would benefit students who will have to go through only one test to get admission in MBBS.

However, not many were impressed. Out of the 26 State officials present, as many as 18 opposed the CET with Gujarat and Tamil Nadu taking the lead.

Sources said that Gujarat pointed out that presently only 10 per cent Gujarati students were able to clear pre-medical tests (PMT) that are held on an all-India basis.

“Another reason for disfavouring the CET was that Gujarati students follow the State board’s syllabus which is entirely different from the CBSE curriculum that is required in PMT. Moreover, most of the examinees are from Gujarati schools for whom English is a big hurdle,” sources said quoting officials from the State.

Similarly, Tamil Nadu strongly protested the move saying it would interfere with its existing policy of reservation to the backward classes as well infringe into the State’s rights.

Some States excused themselves by saying that since they have already started the entrance test process, the CET cannot be implemented from this academic session.

In view of resistance from the States, the move is not likely to see the light of the day, at least not in the next few years, sources said.

In fact, the Health Ministry had to declare as invalid the notification on CET issued by the Medical Council of India following strong protests from Tamil Nadu which had written to Prime Minister Manmohan Singh as well as Azad against the move.

The notification was without its approval, said the Health Ministry which was keen that all the States come on board on the issue before it is implemented.

However, on the positive note, the Ministry managed to get its course for rural doctors endorsed at the meeting.

---

Post a Comment