The Supreme Court on Friday embarrassed the Union government and Medical Council of India (MCI) by forcing them to withdraw their pleas for one-year deferment of the first-ever National Eligibility-cum-Entrance Test (NEET) 2012, a single examination for MBBS and dental undergraduate seats in all medical colleges in the country. While MCI''s counsel, senior advocate Amarendra Saran, was quick to sense the mood of the court to immediately agree for an unconditional withdrawal of the regulatory body''s application, additional solicitor general Harin Raval, while agreeing to withdraw the plea by the ministry of health and family welfare, wanted recording of his statement that the government would take appropriate steps in this regard. This made a bench of Justices H L Dattu and C K Prasad recall that the common entrance test was formulated on the joint request of the MCI and the health ministry. "All these orders were passed after hearing you and you alone. The regulations have been framed by the MCI stipulating that NEET would be held from the academic year 2012-13 onwards. We will not be a party to the postponement of these regulations. If the government and the regulator want to withdraw the regulations, let them do that," the bench said. For more information visit: http://articles.timesofindia.indiatimes.com/2011-12-17/india/30528075_1_neet-deferment-sc-raps-govt