Delhi HC Stays NEET UG Eligibility on Upper Age Limit & NIOS/Open

On Wednesday, Delhi High Court stayed the CBSE Notification regarding the eligibility criteria on upper age limit, open schools candidates and having Biology as an additional subject. The stay order has passed by the bench of Justices Sanjiv Khanna and Chander Shekhar.

On 23^rd February, the petitioners approached to the Supreme Court challenging the notification regarding eligibility for upper age limit. At that time, petitioners was said to withdraw their petition but they are free to submit their petition to the High Court.

Ten students from different states, all above the age of 25 had challenged the CBSE’s decision, by saying that other medical entrance exams like AIIMS and JIPMER did not have the upper age limit criteria (as per The Time of India reported).

Petitioners Jalaludheen T and Suresh T, who have completed courses in BAMS (Bachelor of Ayurvedic Medicine and Surgery) and BHMS (Bachelor of Homeopathic Medicine and Surgery), alleged that the upper age limit to appear for NEET was “Arbitrary and Unreasonable”.

As per the CBSE notification, candidates who had Biology as an additional subject or those who have taken more than two years to complete 11^th and 12^th class will also not be eligible to apply. Such candidates are also suggested to submit their applications for NEET examination.

Following candidates can submit the application:

• Candidates belonging to UR category aged above 25 years.
• Candidates belonging to SC/ST/OBC category and persons entitled for reservation under the Rights of Persons with Disabilities Act, 2016 aged above 30 years.
• Candidates from NIOS/State Open School.
• Candidates who have passed Biology as an additional subject.
• Candidates who have passed as a private candidate.

Check here for official notification.

This stay order has allowed students to submit their applications for the NEET UG exam. The last date to submit the application is 9^th March 2018. The final decision in this matter has yet to be taken. The next hearing regarding this matter will be done on 6^th April 2018.

Open/NIOS/Private schools students or candidates who have crossed the upper age limit are suggested to fill the application form at earliest. Students must note that it does not mean they can sit for the exam. The further decision will be taken by the HC on next hearing.