In Brief
This case consolidated multiple writ petitions and transferred cases challenging the introduction of NEET (National Eligibility cum Entrance Test) as a centralised examination for admission to medical and dental professional courses. Minority educational institutions and medical colleges challenged the regulation as violating their constitutional rights to administer institutions autonomously under Articles 25, 26 and 30. The Supreme Court held that while minorities have a fundamental right to establish and administer educational institutions, this right is not absolute and is subject to reasonable regulations in the national interest. The Court upheld NEET as a proportionate and necessary measure to ensure merit, educational standards, transparency and to curb malpractices. The Court emphasised that professional education requires special regulatory oversight and that the quality of medical education serves the national interest. The provisions of the Indian Medical Council Act and Dentists Act prescribing NEET were upheld as constitutionally valid.
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