SC rules NEET UG mandatory for pursuing medical degrees abroad

New Delhi: The Supreme Court on Wednesday upheld the Medical Council of India’s regulation mandating that students must qualify for the National Eligibility-cum-Entrance Test (NEET-UG) to pursue undergraduate medical courses in foreign institutions. Introduced in 2018, this regulation ensures that Indian students studying medicine abroad meet the required standards to practice in India.

A bench comprising Justices B R Gavai and K Vinod Chandran ruled that the requirement is fair, transparent, and does not conflict with statutory provisions. The NEET UG qualification is an additional requirement alongside the eligibility criteria outlined in the Graduate Medical Education Regulations, 1997.

The petitioners had challenged the regulation, arguing that it was introduced without amending the Indian Medical Council Act, 1956. However, the court held that the Medical Council had the authority to enforce the regulation under Section 33 of the Act. Rejecting the challenge, the bench stated, “We find absolutely no reason to interfere with the regulations.”

The Supreme Court also declined to grant a one-time exemption, asserting that students who enrolled in foreign medical institutions after the amended regulations came into effect cannot seek exemption from the requirement. The court emphasized that these eligibility norms apply only to those intending to practice medicine in India and do not restrict their ability to practice in other countries.

With this ruling, Indian students aspiring to study medicine abroad must first qualify for NEET UG, making it a mandatory prerequisite for admission to foreign medical institutions.