Candidates willing to take admission in abroad medical colleges are exempted by MCI to appear in the upcoming NEET 2020 scheduled in September. 

However candidates should not misinterpret it, this one-time exemption is for September NEET-UG 2020 only. These candidates have to mandatorily qualify the next NEET-UG to be held in 2020 or 2021.

Also Read COVID-19 Advisory for smooth conduct of NEET (UG) 2020 Released by NTA

As per the official notice released by the Medical Council of India (MCI) issued in the favour of Delhi HC, NEET-UG is a mandatory qualifying exam for admission in MBBS and the decision is taken on the basis of a petition filed by an MBBS student fearing to lose an academic year.

NEET-UG 2020 admit cards are available at the official website of NTA. A soft copy of the admit card will also be sent on the candidate’s registered email ID

Petition Filed

An MBBS aspirant willing to take admission in foreign medical college had filed a petition in Delhi High Court. As per the filed petition, the classes in foreign medical Institutes are likely to commence from September 15 and all the admission formalities are to be completed before that. The concern of the matter is that NEET UG 2020 Result would not be declared before September 15, as the exam is scheduled on September 13, 2020.

Thus, the petitioner might have to lose an academic year in the process. To put an end to such aspirant's apprehension, Delhi HC ordered MCI to offer a one-time exemption with mandatory next NEET-UG attempt to be held in 2020 or 2021. 

Also Read  State governments prepare to conduct JEE and NEET amid COVID-19

MCI Official Notice 

The notice reads-

"In order to address the grievance of candidates like the petitioner, owing to the extraordinary situation of COVID-19, it would be appropriate to permit such aspirants to take admission in Foreign Medical Institutes, provided they fulfill the criteria as provided. However, it would be mandatory for such candidates to qualify NEET-UG in 2020 or 2021."

Despite the huge outrage seeking the postponement of NEET-UG and JEE Main 2020, NTA on August 25 has confirmed that the exams will be held as per schedule.

View Point of NEET Aspirants in Gulf nations

As per some of the candidates who are pallning to appear for NEET but are residing in Gulf countires think that travelling to India to write the exam is not only stressful but also impractical due to the high risk of contracting COVID-19. Other than that the candidates are also worried about the mandatory quarantine of 14 days, arranging a stay, additional expenses, etc. are among several concerns in the mind of the aspirants.

After the decision of SC about no exam centers outside India for NEET, some of the candidates have decided the skip this year. However, the authorities have also increased the NEET 2020 exam centers to follow the precautionary measures. There are a total 3842 exam centres allotted, which has brought down the average number of students per centre to 416.

However, exam centres have been set up abroad for JEE Main but there is no such plan for NEET as the exam is conducted in an offline mode and NTA has said that it would not be possible to conduct the exam on the same day in foreign country.