NEET-SS 2021- 'What Is The Hurry In Changing Pattern?Have Some Concern For Students', Supreme Court To NBE [LIVE UPDATES FROM HEARING]

Sr Adv Maninder Singh for the NBE : If the court is under the impression that all this has been done to fill up vacant seats, I request the Govt to dispel the impression and to have this implemented from this year. The Board does not want to give the impression.

Justice Chandrachud : I read your counter affidavit yesterday and this comes in the forefront.

Justice Chandrachud : We will still give you time to put your house in order. We will hear it tomorrow. But if you are showing obduracy, the arms of the law are strong.

Justice Chandrachud : The impression we get is, the medical education has become a business, medical regulation has also become a business.

Justice Chandrachud : Don't do like this. That you announce the changes in August for the exam in November. And when the students come to the court, you change the exams to January. This does not augur well for the medical education in the country.

Justice Chandrachud : We don't have a vision. We don't have a plan for the future. Just because you have the authority, you do it? What was the hurry in doing this year? Would heavens have fallen if 500 seats remain vacant this year? Give students time to prepare. You do it next year, with adequate notice.

Justice Chandrachud : For 12 super specialties, 100% questions are from general medicines. The entire examination is going to be only be on general medicine. The logic seems to be, general medicine is the largest pool, and tap them to fill the seats. That seems to be idea. And see the prejudice caused to the studies.Previously they got 40% questions from the feeder courses but now they would get 100% questions from General Medicine.

Justice Chandrachud now explaining to ASG Bhati the impact of changes.

'Now, the entire 100% questions will be from general medicine", Justice Chandrachud says after explaining the chart.

ASG Bhati : There is no prejudice cause to the students. On the contrary, there is a comparative ease, a comparative flexibility given to the students. Earlier, 60% questions were from the super specialty which they have to study.  I bow down that we could have given more time. That is why we have agreed to defer for two months. The price for not implementing this year will be very high.

Justice Chandrachud :It appears that your clients only want to fill the vacant seats.

ASG Bhati : It is not just about the seats. There is a larger public interest behind our decision. If something is not working in larger interest then some amendments have to be made. Grouping and subjects remains the same as in 2020 exam.