NEET no bar, admit students in AYUSH courses: Court to varsity

Vishal Joshi

Tribune News Service

Kurukshetra, November 13

The Punjab and Haryana High Court has directed Shri Krishna Ayush University (SKAU) here to invite the non-NEET qualified candidates interested to seek admission to AYUSH courses in various institutions in the state.

In an interim order passed by Justice Mahesh Grover and Justice Arun Monga on Monday, the High Court directed to hold counselling of the candidates who were unable to crack NEET along with the pre-scheduled counselling.

The order was directed on the petition filed by Rohtak-based JR Kissan Homoeopathic Medical College and Hospital.

Institute director Dr Suresh K Nandal told The Tribune on Tuesday that a petition was filed, challenging a communication issued by the Union government.

The petitioner had sought the court’s permission to admit non-NEET qualified candidates to AYUSH courses in view of the confusion over whether NEET was mandatory for the MBBS and BDS courses.

“There was confusion over the applicability of NEET for AYUSH courses, as circular on NEET does not refer to AYUSH courses but the authorities in April this year issued directions to the institutions to make admissions only based on the NEET ranking.

More than 35 per cent seats in AYUSH courses are lying vacant owing to the non-availability of NEET qualified candidates, said Nandal.

Meanwhile, the Bench made it clear that while holding the counselling and granting admissions to the students for BAMS and BHMS including the students who have not cleared NEET, preference would be given to the candidates who have the NEET eligibility.

The Bench referred to orders passed by the Patna High Court and Rajasthan High Court while hearing similar petitions.

“For the students without the NEET eligibility, who are granted admission, a specific stipulation would be indicated that the same would remain subject to final outcome of the writ petition,” reads the interim order.

The next date of hearing has been fixed for Thursday.

Dr Krishan Kumar Jatain, Registrar, SKAU, said the counselling for the NEET qualified was under way. The registration and admission process of the non-NEET candidates would be completed in the mop-up round to be held on November 15, he added.

He said of more than 900 seats, about 350 were lying vacant in various colleges.

35% seats vacant

• More than 35 per cent seats in AYUSH courses are lying vacant owing to the non-availability of NEET qualified candidates
• In an interim order passed by Justice Mahesh Grover and Justice Arun Monga, the High Court directed to hold counselling of the candidates who were unable to crack NEET along with the pre-scheduled counselling
• The order was directed on the petition filed by Rohtak-based JR Kissan Homoeopathic Medical College and Hospital