NEET MDS 2024: Aspirants knock Supreme Court’s doors again after Center decides not to postpone exams

Aspirants of the National Eligibility Cum Entrance Test for Masters of Dental Surgery (NEET MDS) 2024 have once again approached the Supreme Court of India, seeking clarity on the potential postponement of the high-stakes exam scheduled for March 18, 2024.

The recent move comes after the apex court, in February, directed the Union Government to take a decisive call on representations demanding the deferment of the NEET MDS 2024 exam. The court observed that the issue of fixing the cut-off date falls within the policy domain, leaving the final decision to the Centre.

Despite the Supreme Court’s directive to decide “expeditiously” and “preferably within a week,” the Union Government has maintained a sphinx-like silence over the past 16 calendar days, leaving aspirants in limbo.

Consequently, the petitioners have filed a Miscellaneous Application seeking the restoration of the writ petition disposed of on February 21, citing the Centre’s assurance of a timely decision.

While the National Board of Examinations in Medical Sciences (NBEMS) has extended the internship completion cut-off date from March 31 to June 30, 2024, for NEET MDS 2024 eligibility, the uncertainty surrounding the exam date persists.

In a recent notification, the NBEMS stated, “Pursuant to the directions of the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare (MoHFW), Govt. of India vide its letter no. V.12025/158/2022-DE dated 07.03.2024, the cut-off date for completion of internship has been extended to 30th June 2024 for the purpose of eligibility for NEET-MDS 2024.”

However, the Federation of All India Medical Association (FAIMA) expressed gratitude for the extended eligibility deadline while advocating for a further postponement of the NEET MDS 2024 exam itself until July to provide aspirants with more preparation time.

As the clock ticks closer to the scheduled date, aspirants eagerly await the Supreme Court’s intervention and the Centre’s decision, which could potentially reshape the trajectory of their academic and professional pursuits.