NEET : NTA Should Consider Accommodating Candidates Who Haven't Got SC/ST Certificates On Last Date Of Application, Says Supreme Court

The Supreme Court on Friday suggested that the National Testing Agency should consider accommodating students from Scheduled Caste (SC) and Scheduled Tribes(ST) categories who are not in possession of SC/ST certificates as on the last date of applying for NEET exams.   

The bench comprising Justice Ravindra Bhat and Justice Aravind Kumar was hearing a writ petition filed by a candidate who did not have ST certificate at the time of filling NEET form. So, she had to apply as a General candidate. Later she got the certificate but her request to be considered as ST was rejected.

The counsel on behalf of NTA argued that if any relief is granted at this stage, it will affect the entire merit list.  

“You have to see from their perspective. The certificate is only evidence of the status. You've to implement it in a proper spirit. You can add columns- when the certificate was availed and so forth. So they can avail benefit at the time of filling the form", Justice Bhat said.

"NTA should consider appropriately accommodating cases where SC and ST apply but are not in possession of the certificate as on last date of filing the form", Justice Bhat orally said..

The Supreme Court issued notice to NTA- the conducting body for NEET examination- and listed the matter for hearing after 2 weeks.

The petitioner had applied for the ST certificate on 10th December 2022. However, it was not furnished to her till 16.3.2023 which was the last date for filling the form. So she held herself out as a general candidate. She got the ST certificate in July 2023. Now, the results of NEET examination have already been declared.

The petitioner sought to be treated as an ST candidate. Her request was rejected by the respondents. Aggrieved by the rejection, the petitioner has approached the Supreme Court.

Case title: Saranya Mandal v. Union Of India And Ors.

Citation: W.P.(C) No. 710/2023 PIL-W

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