ABDUL AZEEZ Vs. UNION OF INDIA

JUDGEMENT

(1.) Claiming himself to be a social worker and member of Kerala Muslim Cultural Centre, Qatar ('KMCC', for short), an organisation engaged in redressing the grievances of Non Resident Keralites living in Gulf countries, the petitioner has filed this public interest writ petition seeking for a writ of mandamus directing the Union of India, represented by its Secretary, Ministry of Human Resource Development, New Delhi and National Testing Agency (NTA), represented by its Director General, Uttar Pradesh (respondent Nos.1 & 2) to sanction examination centres in Qatar as well as in other Gulf Co-operation Council countries for National Eligibility Entrance Test ('NEET', for short) aspirants.

(2.) Petitioner has also sought for a writ of mandamus, directing respondents 1 and 2 to defer NEET Examination, till normalcy is restored or a decision is taken on the request of the students for allowing examination centres outside India, to expatriate students in Qatar as well as in other Gulf Co-operation Council countries.

(3.) In the statement of facts, supporting the prayers sought for, petitioner has contended that National Eligibility-cum-Entrance Test (NEET) (UG-2020) was originally scheduled to be conducted on 3.5.2020. Due to extraordinary circumstances that arose from COVID-19 pandemic, by public notice dated 27.03.2020, examination was postponed. Petitioner has further submitted that examinations for admissions to premier higher educational institutions in India are conducted by the National Testing Agency (NTA), an independent organisation established under Ministry of Human Resource Development. Petitioner has further submitted that for admission to MBBS/BDS courses and other undergraduate medical courses in approved/organised Medical/Dental & other colleges or institutions in India, NEET (UG-2020) examination is conducted by the 2nd respondent, NTA.