NEET UG mandatory for studying medicine abroad, rules Supreme Court

The Supreme Court has upheld the regulation requiring Indian students to qualify NEET UG before pursuing undergraduate medical courses abroad. This rule, introduced in 2018 by the Medical Council of India (MCI), ensures students meet the required standards to practice medicine in India.

The court ruled that making NEET UG mandatory is a fair and transparent measure that does not violate any legal provisions. The regulation aligns with the Graduate Medical Education Regulations, 1997, and ensures uniformity in medical education



standards.

Students challenging the rule argued that the Indian Medical Council Act, 1956, was not amended before introducing the requirement. However, the Supreme Court held that the MCI had the authority to enforce it under Section 33 of the Act.

The court rejected requests for a one-time exemption, stating that students who took admission abroad after the amended regulations were implemented must comply. While the rule applies only to those who wish to study medicine abroad and practice in India, students can still study and work in other countries without NEET.