In 2010, the state had agreed to taking part in NEET from 2012 but could not meet the deadline, citing the need for changes in relevant laws as well as the student curriculum.
Today, Chief Minister N Kiran Kumar Reddy wrote a letter to Union Health Minister Ghulam Nabi Azad requesting exemption from NEET for one more academic year.
"Introduction of NEET would involve certain amendments to the AP Educational Institutions (Regulation of Admissions and Prohibition of Capitation Fee) Act, 1983, and also the Dr NTR University of Health Sciences Act, 1986 under which the state's Common Entrance Test (EAMCET) is held," the Chief Minister said in the letter.
"The EAMCET ranking is based on 25 per cent marks secured in the Intermediate examination and 75 per cent in the EAMCET. The students who joined Intermediate in 2011-12 are eligible for 25% weightage marks. This is as per the provision in the relevant law," he pointed out.
"The NEET syllabus is based on the CBSE curriculum while AP adopted it from the academic year 2012-13. Students joining in 2012-13 would complete the Intermediate course by April, 2014. It would be appropriate for these students to appear for the NEET in 2014 as they would have studied as per the revised curriculum and also would not be eligible for weightage in marks," the Chief Minister added.
"In view of this, I request you to kindly issue orders exempting the State from the proposed National Eligibility-cum-Entrance Test 2013," he mentioned.