PCM (Physics, Chemistry, and Mathematics) stream students in Classes 11 and 12 now have a chance to pursue medicine in the country, thanks to the latest guidelines from the National Medical Commission (NMC). According to the new ruling, students from the PCM stream can clear the biology/biotechnology examination as an additional subject at the 10+2 level from any recognized board, paving their way toward becoming doctors.
What Were the Previous Guidelines for NEET-UG?
Previously, the Medical Council of India (MCI) stipulated that candidates had to study Physics, Chemistry, Biology, or Biotechnology for two continuous years in Classes 11 and 12, along with English, to qualify for the NEET-UG exam. The study had to be completed in regular schools, not as private candidates or through open schools. Any essential subjects, including Biology or Biotechnology, couldn't be completed as additional subjects after Class 12. This rule faced legal challenges and was overturned by the Delhi High Court in May 2018, impacting candidates' eligibility for the NEET-UG test and admission to foreign medical institutions.
What Do the New NEET-UG Guidelines Say?
In a meeting on June 14, 2023, the National Medical Commission re-evaluated the approach, considering the flexibility offered by the New Education Policy for Class 12 subjects. They decided to revisit the previous restrictions set by the MCI, now allowing candidates to study the required subjects (Physics, Chemistry, Biology/Biotechnology, along with English) as additional subjects after completing Class 12 from recognized boards. Such candidates will now be eligible to appear for the NEET-UG Test and can obtain eligibility certificates.
This decision applies retrospectively to candidates whose eligibility certificate applications were previously rejected on the grounds mentioned in the notice. However, candidates newly meeting the criteria after the date of this notice will be eligible to appear in NEET-UG 2024.
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