The Supreme Court has ruled that Indian students pursuing medical degrees abroad must clear the National Eligibility cum Entrance Test (NEET) to practice medicine in India. This requirement applies even before joining a foreign medical course, as an eligibility certificate based on NEET qualification is mandatory. The court upheld the provision introduced in the 2018 Medical Council of India Bill, dismissing petitions challenging its validity.
The court stated that the provision is neither unconstitutional nor arbitrary, emphasizing its importance in ensuring transparency in medical education and practice. Petitions, including one filed by student Arunaditya Dubey, argued against the rule, but the National Medical Commission defended it as a necessary measure. The verdict, delivered on February 4, was recently uploaded to the Supreme Court’s official website.
The court clarified that the mandatory NEET requirement is non-negotiable for those wishing to practice in India. Students enrolling in foreign medical courses without obtaining the eligibility certificate and NEET qualification will not be permitted to practice in India. However, the ruling does not restrict the right to practice medicine outside India. A bench comprising Justices B.R. Gavai and K. Vinod Chandran reinforced that the provision aims to maintain standards and transparency in the Indian medical sector.
