We Don’t ‘NEET’ No Examination, At Least For AYUSH Courses, Says Karnataka Government 

Now, aspirants who have not qualified The National Eligibility cum Entrance Test (NEET) examination can seek admission for Ayurveda, Yoga and Naturopathy, Unani, Siddha and Homoeopathy (AYUSH) courses according to Karnataka Examinations Authority (KEA), reported The Hindu.

A government had earlier issued an order stating that only candidates who qualified NEET could be admitted to AYUSH courses. However, some colleges approached the court and said that there was a shortage of candidates who have qualified NEET as there was confusion regarding the qualifying examination for AYUSH initially, and an interim order was passed.

A KEA official said they conducted the second extended round for 40 per cent of the seats in private colleges and all seats in government colleges. This was applicable only for eligible NEET candidates. After this round is completed, colleges can fill seats accordingly. “The first preference has to be students who are qualified in NEET,” as quoted in the report.

The vacant seats could be allotted to candidates who have not qualified NEET but took the test. If more seats remain, these can be allocated to students who did not appear for NEET, but who are eligible to be qualified, an official was quoted saying. The HC had ruled that all the admissions in AYUSH colleges should be completed by 31 October.

Data released by KEA shows that 1,577 government AYUSH seats have been filled, while only 70 of 894 private quota seats in private colleges have been filled.

However, reports suggest that the move had received a mixed response from colleges, students and faculty members.