Students with distant mode intermediate barred from Medical education

The Medical Council of India has barred the students passing intermediate examinations through distant mode from appearing in the NEET exams. The council, in its letter to National Institute of Open Schooling (NIOS), said the students passing from the board cannot appear for the national test whose qualification enables them for admission in medical colleges across the country.

The council argued the students passing through distant mode are not at par with students of regular boards as they do not attend any practical tests. The move is likely to affect 3000 students. The officials at NIOS said the council has deprived thousands of students from pursuing medical education. They further argued many students have even qualified the test.

"Across India, the number would be higher. Out of 3,000 NIOS students, 864 qualified the test too. So it is unfair to bar them," an official said.