The decision by Medical Council of India (MCI) shocked thousands of NIOS students. MCI announced that the NIOS and private students cannot take NEET 2018. MCI defended their decision by saying the private students lack practical knowledge as compared to CBSE students so they are ineligible for medical course.

NIOS officials are not happy with the MCI’s decision and are planning to talk to MHRD and Health Minister to make NIOS students eligible for the examination. NIOS students, who as aspiring to take NEET exams, will face a great loss if this becomes the final decision as their two years would go in vain. Last year, around 3,000 students appeared for NEET 2017, and 864 students had qualified the entrance exam. Also, NIOS officials say NIOS certification is equivalent to CBSE. So the students should not be barred from the examination.

As per 2012 notification of MCI, NCIO students are eligible for NEET exams. And so NCIO issued admission prospect specifying that NCIO certified students are also eligible for NEET. In 2015, the students who took admission in class 10 believing that they can appear for NEET examination, now find themselves ineligible.

9 March 2018, is the last date to register for NEET 2018. The government should make their decision as early as possible so that the NCIO students do not face injustice.

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