MBBS aspirants who did not appear for NEET 2018 can enroll in medical colleges abroad

The decision was taken by Ministry of Health & Family Welfare, Government of India in consultation with the Medical Council of India (MCI).

However, the exemption is only for those who had not registered for NEET (UG)- 2018.

As per a notification (no. MOS/END/333/2018) procured, admissions for such students in overseas colleges will be subjected to following conditions-:

·         The candidates shall furnish an undertaking that they had not registered for NEET (UG)- 2018;

·         The candidates shall obtain the Eligibility Certificate from the MCI prior to admission/ joining the foreign medical institutes;

·         The MCI may at its discretion verify whether such undertaking is genuine or not. In case, the undertaking is found to be false or forged, appropriate action as permissible in law, including cancellation of the Eligibility Certificate, would be taken against such candidates.

The government clarified that there is no exemption for the candidates who had appeared in NEET (UG)- 2018 but failed to secure minimum qualifying marks.

Commenting on the Government notification, an aspiring MBBS student Rajasekhara KS said, “I did not take any coaching for NEET along with my 12th standard curriculum because I was not at all considering to study in India. Reason being high- investment and low package once the course is completed. Students start preparing for NEET at least 2 years prior to it. The Government announced NEET mandate only in February 2018 and the NEET exam was due in May 2018. Where was the time to thoroughly prepare? However, I am happy to know that I can now enroll in an MBBS college without wasting a year or so."

The student intake for many overseas colleges will get over in September and this may be the final chance for MBBS aspirants to apply for admission.

“We have over 50 pending applications of students with excellent academic backgrounds but who did not appear for NEET exam this year. Many Indian students will be happy to learn about this positive development," said Sivakumar, admission officer at Texila American University, a university based in the Caribbean that prepares students to practice in the USA.