The Centre on Wednesday told the Supreme Court that in the interest of students, it has decided to implement changes in the pattern of the NEET-Super Speciality examination from academic year 2022-23 only.

A bench of justices DY Chandrachud, Vikram Nath and BV Nagarathna recorded the submission of Additional Solicitor General Aishwarya Bhati and disposed of pleas of students who challenged the Centre’s earlier decision to implement changes in the examination pattern of NEET-Super Speciality from this year. The bench, however, said it is leaving the question open on the validity of the changes made in the pattern of the examination.

“In the interest of the students, who have prepared in line with the old scheme, the Government, in consultation with the two expert bodies (National Medical Commission (NMC) and National Board of Examination (NBE)), has decided that this revised scheme of NEET-SS

will be implemented from 2022,” Bhati said.

She said this will mean that the current NEET-SS-2021 will be held in accordance with the norms that were there in the NEET-SS-2020.

The bench recording the submissions said, “The Union of India states that a decision has been taken by it in consultation with the NMC and the NBE to the effect that having regard to the interest of the body of students, who would have commenced preparations for the ensuing NEET-SS-2021 examination before the change in the pattern was notified, the modified pattern shall be given effect to only from the academic year 2022-23.”

On Tuesday, the apex court had given one last chance to the Centre to put its “house in order” and take a call on reversing the changes made to the NEET-Super Speciality examination 2021. An anguished top court had said that the medical profession and education have become a business, and now, the regulation of medical education has also gone that way which is the nation’s tragedy.

The SC was not satisfied with the justification given by the Centre, NBE and NMC for making the last-minute changes after the notification for the exam was issued in July.

The top court was hearing a batch of pleas of 41 post-graduate doctors and others who had challenged the last-minute changes made to the syllabus after the notification was issued on July 23 for the test to be held on November 13 and 14.

The top court was hearing a batch of pleas of 41 post-graduate doctors and others who had challenged the last-minute changes made to the syllabus after the notification was issued on July 23 for the test to be held on November 13 and 14.