Exempt AP From NEET 2013: CM

Chief Minister N Kiran Kumar, on Monday, asked the Centre to exempt Andhra Pradesh from NEET 2013.

In a letter to Union Minister for Health and Family Welfare Ghulam Nabi Azad, the Chief Minister requested him to issue orders exempting the state from the proposed NEET 2013, "in the best interests of the students of Andhra Pradesh".

"Firstly, introduction of NEET would involve certain amendments to the AP Educational Institutions (Regulation of Admissions and Prohibition of Capitation Fee) Act, 1983, and also the Dr. NTR University of Health Sciences Act, 1986, under which the State's Common Entrance Test (EAMCET) is held," the letter said.

"Secondly, the EAMCET ranking is based on 25% of marks secured in the Intermediate examination and 75% of the marks secured in the EAMCET. Students who have joined Intermediate in 2011-12 are eligible for 25% weightage for the marks secured in the Intermediate Board exam. This is as per the legal provision in the relevant law," he said.

"Thirdly, the NEET syllabus is based upon the CBSE curriculum. AP has adopted CBSE curriculum from the academic year 2012-13, and the students joining in the year 2012-13 would complete the Intermediate course by April 2014. It would be appropriate for these students to appear for the NEET in 2014 as they would have studied Intermediate as per the revised curriculum and also would not be eligible for weightage for Intermediate marks," said the letter. (INN)