MCI okays common entrance test for MBBS, post-graduate courses

New Delhi: The Medical Council of India (MCI) has given its nod to the proposal for holding common entrance test for MBBS, BDS and post-graduate medical courses, and has sent its recommendation to the Health Ministry.

According to Health Ministry officials, the government had sought views of MCI on the proposal following which the later in its general body meeting on October 1 approved the move.

"MCI, in its general body meeting on October 1, has backed the proposal. As per the existing policy, every state government conduct their own entrance test. Private medical college associations and deemed universities also conduct their own CET. And an aspiring candidate appears in all the exams.

"But here under the proposal, there will be a common entrance test for all medical aspirants from across the country and would be of great help to the students," said a senior Health Ministry official.

MCI has also proposed an amendment to the Medical Council of India Act, 1956 Act so that they can decide on the common test.

The move to have a common entrance test for medical students across the country was first initiated in 2009, when MCI was headed by Dr Ketan Desai.

The Supreme Court, in June 2013, had ruled the MCI's notification for holding common entrance test for MBBS, BDS and post-graduate medical courses as "invalid". A three-judge bench by a 2:1 verdict held that the notification was ultra vires of the Constitution.