Nilekani panel may submit first NEET reform report by month-end: Centre to SC

The Centre told the Supreme Court on Friday that the high-powered panel headed by Nandan Nilekani, which was set up to suggest structural reforms in NEET, has completed exhaustive consultations and is likely to submit its first interim report by the end of this month.

Solicitor General Tushar Mehta informed a bench of Justices P S Narasimha and Alok Aradhe that all suggestions had been placed before the panel. He said the panel had also held consultations with members of an earlier committee led by former ISRO chairman K Radhakrishnan.

COURT SEEKS AFFIDAVIT ON STEPS TAKEN

The bench asked the joint secretary in the Department of Personnel and Training, who is assisting the Nilekani panel, to file an affidavit before the court on the steps taken so far.

It told Mehta that the most important issue was for the government to look into the institutionalisation of the entire process for conducting the National Eligibility-cum-Entrance Test.

The bench told Mehta, "You must know that permanency of the entire system is key. There should be a permanent setup, permanent staff, permanent verticals. Very less deputation should be there. Only then a permanent structure will come up."

SUPREME COURT TO VISIT UPGRADED NTA FACILITY

Justice Narasimha said he and Justice Aradhe would like to visit the newly upgraded facility of NTA to examine the system.

The Education Department has said that a new, upgraded system has been created. Mehta told the court, "Permanency of the structure has been ensured. However, human resources are partially ensured at the moment."

NEET REFORMS AND NTA STRUCTURE

On August 19, while observing that there was a need to institutionalise reforms in the NTA, the top court had directed the Centre to inform it about the steps taken to implement the recommendations of the Radhakrishnan panel and the Nilekani committee.

The apex court was hearing a batch of petitions, including one filed by advocate Tanvi Dubey on behalf of the Federation of All India Medical Association.

The hearing focused on the progress of NEET reforms, the need for a permanent structure in the NTA, and the status of the committees set up to suggest changes.

(With PTI inputs)