With the approval of the Central Government MCI had notified the National Eligibility cum Entrance Test (NEET) for admission to Under Graduate (UG)/Post Graduate (PG) Medical Courses by amending Graduate Medical Education Regulations, 1997 and Postgraduate Medical Education Regulations, 2000 vide notifications dated 21.12.2010 from the academic year 2012-13. MCI issued a revised notification dated 27.02.2012 to conduct examination from the academic year 2013-14. The Hon’ble Supreme Court vide its judgment dated 18.07.2013 in NEET related cases quashed the implementation of NEET. The Central Government and MCI filed Review Petition (c) No. 2048-2157 of 2013 and Review Petition (c) No. 2159-2268 of 2013 respectively before the Hon’ble Supreme Court. The Review Petitions were heard by the Five-Judge Bench of Hon’ble Supreme Court. The Hon’ble Court vide its Order dated 11.04.2016 has allowed these Review Petitions and ordered that “We, therefore, allow these Review Petitions and recall the judgment dated 18th July, 2013 and direct that the matters be heard afresh. The Review Petitions stand disposed of as allowed.” Further, vide its order dated 28.04.2016 in writ petition No. 261/2016 filed by Sankalp Charitable Trust and anr., the Hon’ble Supreme Court has allowed conduct of NEET(UG) in two phases.

In case of Government medical colleges, the respective State Governments are responsible for fixation of fees. However, in the case of private unaided medical colleges, the fee structure is decided by the Committee set up by the respective State Government under the Chairmanship of a retired High Court Judge in pursuance of the directions of the Hon’ble Supreme Court of India. It is for the Committee to decide whether the fee proposed by an Institute is justified and the fee fixed by the Committee is binding on the Institute.

The Health Minister, Shri J P Nadda stated this in a written reply in the Rajya Sabha here today.