Reassessing NEET’s Rigid Framework: Extending UGC's Flexible Admission Policies to Ayurvedic Medical Colleges

The recent decision by the University Grants Commission (UGC) to permit Central Universities to conduct their own entrance exams or admit students based on qualifying exam marks if seats remain vacant after CUET admissions marks a significant policy shift. This move is aimed at optimizing resource utilization and ensuring broader access to higher education. The policy raises a critical question: should similar flexibility be extended to Ayurvedic medical colleges, which currently face challenges under the stringent National Eligibility cum Entrance Test (NEET) framework? A deeper analysis suggests that such an extension is not only justified but also necessary.

The Challenges of the NEET System

NEET, as the standardized entrance exam for all medical and dental colleges in India, including Ayurvedic institutions, is intended to ensure a uniform and transparent admission process. This framework is supported by the Supreme Court and regulated by the National Commission for Indian System of Medicine (NCISM). However, while NEET achieves standardization, it also introduces significant challenges for specialized fields like Ayurveda.

Data from various academic years show that a considerable number of seats in Ayurvedic colleges remain vacant post-NEET counseling due to multiple factors. These include delays in the counseling process, the generalist nature of the NEET exam, and its focus on modern medicine, which may not fully align with the specialized knowledge required for Ayurveda. For instance, in 2023, more than 15% of seats in several Ayurvedic colleges remained vacant even after multiple rounds of NEET counseling.

The rigid application of NEET not only leads to underutilization of institutional resources but also deprives students who are specifically interested in traditional Indian medicine of educational opportunities. The inability to fill seats impacts the financial viability of these institutions and limits the growth of Ayurveda as a globally recognized system of medicine.

UGC’s Policy for Central Universities: A Precedent for Flexibility

The UGC’s recent decision to allow Central Universities to fill vacant seats through entrance exams or qualifying marks presents a model that could be beneficially extended to Ayurvedic colleges. According to UGC Chairman Prof. M. Jagadesh Kumar, the policy is designed to ensure that no seat goes vacant, thereby maximizing the use of academic resources. This decision acknowledges the reality that not all students who qualify through CUET apply to every university or course, leading to vacant seats despite multiple rounds of counseling.

This flexibility is crucial for fields like Ayurveda, where the existing NEET framework may not attract the most suitable candidates. By allowing Ayurvedic colleges to conduct their own entrance exams or admit students based on qualifying marks, the institutions could better align their admissions with the specific competencies required in Ayurveda. This would not only ensure that seats are filled but also elevate the quality of education by admitting students with a genuine interest and aptitude for traditional medicine.

Legal and Regulatory Considerations

The Supreme Court’s mandate on NEET was intended to prevent malpractice and ensure transparency in medical admissions. However, the court’s orders did not foresee the specific challenges faced by specialized fields like Ayurveda. The rigid enforcement of NEET by the NCISM, while maintaining standardization, has inadvertently created barriers that hinder the growth of traditional medical systems.

Revisiting these regulations to introduce a tiered admission system for Ayurvedic colleges—where NEET remains the primary criterion, but alternative mechanisms are permitted when seats remain vacant—could align with both the Supreme Court’s intent and the practical needs of the institutions. Such a policy would not only optimize resource utilization but also support the broader goal of promoting Ayurveda as an integral part of global wellness.

Concluding Remarks

The UGC’s policy to allow Central Universities to fill vacant seats through alternative admission processes provides a practical solution to the challenges of underutilization of academic resources. Extending a similar policy to Ayurvedic medical colleges is not only logical but also necessary to address the systemic challenges posed by the current NEET framework. Given the global significance of Ayurveda, as emphasized by Prime Minister Modi, and the need for a more flexible admission process that aligns with the specialized nature of Ayurvedic education, revisiting the regulatory framework to allow for such flexibility would be a step in the right direction.

By adopting this approach, we can ensure that Ayurvedic colleges are not left behind in India’s broader educational and wellness agenda, and that they are fully equipped to contribute to the global promotion of traditional medicine.