The Supreme Court has reaffirmed that qualifying the NEET UG (National Eligibility cum Entrance Test – Undergraduate) is mandatory for Indian students intending to study MBBS abroad, provided they plan to practice medicine in India. The court dismissed petitions seeking exemption from this requirement, stating it is essential for maintaining uniform medical education standards.
The regulation, introduced by the Medical Council of India (MCI) in 2018, ensures that students meet the baseline eligibility necessary to eventually obtain a license to practice in India. The court deemed NEET UG a “fair and transparent measure,” consistent with the Graduate Medical Education Regulations of 1997. It clarified that the MCI was empowered to enforce this rule under Section 33 of the Indian Medical Council Act, 1956, despite no formal amendment to the Act itself.
Students who challenged the regulation argued that the legal framework at the time did not support such a mandate. However, the court held that the MCI’s authority was sufficient and denied any one-time exemptions, affirming that the rule applies to all students who enrolled in foreign medical institutions after the regulation came into effect.
The bench also noted that while the requirement is necessary for those seeking to practice in India, it does not restrict students from studying or working in other countries without NEET qualification.
NEET UG, conducted by the National Testing Agency (NTA), is the entrance exam for undergraduate medical programs in India including MBBS, BDS, AYUSH, and related fields.
The ruling comes amid ongoing scrutiny of the NEET UG process, particularly after the 2024 exam faced serious allegations of a question paper leak in Patna, Bihar. Reports revealed that candidates paid between ₹30 lakh and ₹50 lakh to receive leaked papers before the test. Multiple arrests were made, including students and intermediaries, prompting widespread concern over the exam’s integrity.
