Lekha G –
The Supreme Court has directed the All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS) to postpone the INI CET 2021 exam by a month due to the pandemic.
The Bench comprising Justice Indira Banerjee and Justice MR Shah directed that, “Considering that the candidates have been rendering Covid duties far away from Centres chosen and inadequate time for preparation, we are of view that fixation of date on June 16th is arbitrary. We direct AIIMS to postpone exam by atleast one month. Needless to mention that authorities of AIIMS would give an appropriate date from one month from 16th June.”
The Bench was hearing a petition filed by a group of 23 MBBS doctors through Advocate Pallavi Pratap which sought postponement of the INI CET 2021 exam stating that it would be an utter disregard in respect to postponement of the PG exams, given by Prime Minister’s Office (PMO) while postponing the NEET PG exam, 2021 by four months.
Senior Advocate Arvind Datar, appearing for the petitioners argued that, “We have signed bonds with the State Government and we can’t leave without notice. CA, NCLAT etc. are all canceled or postponed. My suggestion is that it maybe conducted with NEET PG, as most students write both exams.”
The Counsel of AIIMS argued that postponement of the exams would lead to scarcity of doctors and the arrangements for the exams was already ready in 32 states.
It further stated that the INI CET is held twice a year and hence students could appear in exams scheduled in October-November, if they have difficulty in attending June exams.
The petitioners contended that the abrupt announcement of the exam has hardly left the students with anytime to prepare putting them under excessive mental pressure and conducting the exam at this stage would also affect doctors and their family members.
The INI CET exam is conducted for admission to postgraduate courses in leading government medical institutes in the country including AIIMS, Jawaharlal Institute of Postgraduate Medical Education and Research (JIPMER) and National Institute of Mental Health and Neuro-Sciences (NIMHANS).
