A relief to all National Eligibility cum Entrance Test (NEET) aspirants in the country, as the centre has decided to take into consideration the syllabi of all state boards while designing the examination papers for the exam. In view of the concerns of students across, the Ministry of Human Resource Development Manager (MHRD) confirmed that the curriculum of the state boards would be kept in mind while deciding the syllabus of NEET.

Some officials said that it will be difficult to prepare the question papers on multiple syllabi. It was till last year, that NEET exam papers were based on the Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE) syllabus, according to media reports left the state board students at a great disadvantage. There is a significant difference in the syllabi of Physics, Chemistry and Biology in many states making it difficult for the students to compete. This concern raised have been addressed in a meeting held on January 18, 2018.

The Ministry is appreciating to the required concerns of students from various state boards. In an interview with the New Indian Express, Prakash Javadekar said, “Today we had a special meeting (on NEET) and we have decided that we will take into account curricula of all State boards while framing the question papers for NEET so that the students of the State boards are not at any disadvantage from this year”. He further added, “This problem should be resolved now, and states should have no reason to complain anymore. Students of any State board will now not be at a disadvantage when it comes to NEET”.

However, few experts said that it will be difficult to implement such decision when the exam is on the toe. It can be a tough task to frame examination papers based on so many curricula.

NEET 2018, the test for all Bachelor of Medicine and Bachelor of Surgery (MBBS Medicinae Baccalaureus, Baccalaureus Chirurgiae, in Latin) and Bachelor of Dental Surgery (BDS) courses is expected to be held in the first week of May. The CBSE has been conducting NEET which replaced the All India Pre-Medical Test and many State Pre-Medical Examinations since 2013. Sources are of the opinion that the official notification for NEET 2018 is expected to be declared by the last week of this month that will include the syllabus, exam dates and other important details.

(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Jan 19, 2018 11:59 AM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).