NEET applies to minority colleges: SC

News:The Supreme Court ruled that the National Eligibility-cum-Entrance Test (NEET) is mandatory for admission to medical colleges run by religious and linguistic minority communities.

Facts:

Background: Minority educational institutions had filed petitions arguing that imposition of NEET would violate their fundamental rights of religious freedom, to manage their religious affairs, to administer their institutions.

Key takeaways from SC Judgement:

• The rights available under Article 30 are not violated by introduction of NEET.
• NEET is important for better administration in view of many instances of maladministration by several private colleges.
• Minority institutions are equally bound to comply with conditions imposed under the relevant Acts and Regulations to enjoy affiliation and recognition.

Additional Facts:

Minority Educational Institution:  It is a college or institution established or maintained by a person or group of persons from amongst the minorities.

Constitutional safeguard: Article 30(1) gives linguistic and religious minorities a fundamental right to establish and administer educational institutions of their choice.

National Commission for Minority Educational Institutions: 

• It is a statutory body established in 2004 by the National Commission for Minority Educational Institutions Act. 
• Its main responsibility is to safeguard the educational rights of the minorities enshrined in Article 30(1).
• It is important to note that the linguistic minorities do not come under the ambit of the NCMEI Act, 2004