The apex court had earlier this month recalled its 2013 verdict quashing the MCI notification mandating NEET for undergraduate and postgraduate medical courses.

The Supreme Court today accepted the proposal mooted by the Centre and the Medical Council of India (MCI) to hold the National Entrance-cum-Eligibility Test (NEET) for undergraduate and postgraduate medical and dental courses in government and private institutions in two phases this year.

The apex court agreed with the schedule put before it that the first phase of the NEET will be on May 1, while the second will be held on July 24. Results will be declared on Aug 17. Six lakh students are expected to take the NEET on May 1.

The MCI had asked the Supreme Court to consider the All India Pre-Medical Test (AIPMT) scheduled on May 1 as the first phase of the newly-introduced entrance examination for admission into MBBS and BDS courses.

The MCI proposal was opposed by some state governments and private medical colleges.

The Supreme Court had earlier this month recalled its 2013 verdict quashing the MCI notification mandating NEET for undergraduate and postgraduate medical courses.

The recall meant that more than 600 privately-run and minority medical institutions will not be able to conduct their own entrance examinations and will draw students from the list of the successful candidate who appear for the NEET.

The review was sought by the MCI and the AP Private Medical and Dental Colleges.