Candidates aspiring for seats in AYUSH (Ayurveda, Yoga and Naturopathy, Unani, Siddha and Homoeopathy) courses may have to appear for the National Eligibility cum Entrance Test (NEET).
The State government is likely to take this decision based on the Central Council of Indian Medicine’s letter to State governments to make NEET the qualifying exam for AYUSH courses as well, besides medical and dental.
At present, students are in a dilemma as they are unsure whether they have to write the Common Entrance Test (CET) or the NEET.
A II PU student, who wants to pursue a course in Ayurveda for the 2018-2019 academic year said, “It is already January, and we will have to apply either for NEET or CET shortly, so we are extremely anxious.”
The Karnataka Examinations Authority (KEA), which conducts CET, is also still unsure of the same and has sought a clarification from the Department of Health and Family Welfare.
“We have to soon call for applications and are finalising the brochure and guide for CET, and the students who will be eligible to apply. We also need clarity at the moment,” a senior official in KEA said. Authorities are confused as all the postgraduate AYUSH seats in 2017 were filled through the NEET.
Last year, the Central Council of Indian Medicine had sent letters to chief secretaries and health secretaries of all States that NEET would be the single entrance test for AYUSH courses as well (besides medical and dental).
However, the State government had gone ahead and conducted CET for AYUSH aspirants and allotted seats based on the CET ranks.
Currently all government college seats, 20% of the seats in private unaided colleges, and 80% of seats of aided colleges are filled through CET.
