Director of the Directorate of Medical Education, Karnataka, Dr. S. Sacchianand has asserted that although no official confirmation has reached him yet, the cap in NEET attempts will be a reality soon. Talking to PaGaLGuY, Dr. Sacchianand said, “I haven’t received any official letter from the CBSE (Central Board of Secondary Education) as yet, but a cap of three attempts will soon be effective.” CBSE is the central body responsible for conducting the NEET (National Eligibility cum Entrance Test) for admission of medical aspirants in MBBS and BDS courses across the country.

The National Eligibility Entrance Test (NEET) has replaced all the other state conducted medical examination this year. Admission in government, private and deemed medical university/institutes will be made based on the marks attained by medical aspirants in NEET.

Last year, the NEET application procedure had started in the month of December. But this year, due to a string of opposition related to conducting the examination in regional languages <link>, the schedule has been affected. Asking about the probable date for the official notification, Dr. Sacchianand said, “it would be out in the next two weeks’ time”.

Along with putting a cap in the number of attempts, there is a probable age limit that is under consideration for this year’s NEET as well. “Aspirants of minimum 17 years and maximum 25 years of age, will be able to take NEET. There will be a relaxation of 5 years in the upper age limit for reserved candidates. Capping the exam to 3 attempts will help bring down the immense competition level, caused due to multiple attempts by senior and experienced candidates,” said Dr. Sacchianand.

Although, the move might help aspirants taking the examination for the first time, it would be difficult for those who are repeating. “Earlier, the aspirants used to get other options such as COMEDK and other state conducted medical examinations. But that will not be the case this year. Hence, the aspirants need to be very cautious before appearing for the examination, as this might result in loosing a year for them,” pointed out Dr. Sacchianand.