Common entrance exam for all medical courses soon?

 The Medical Council of India (MCI) has suggested a common entrance exam for undergrad and postgrad courses in the country.

"It is a strong proposal," said Dr Shiv Kumar Sarin, president of MCI. "We are working out the modalities. The MCI is supporting this, but whether it can be done will be seen in the coming weeks since the matter rests with the courts and ministries."

If a common entrance test does come about, it could be as soon as the coming academic session. The aim is to reduce the stress students are under, many of whom appear for as many as seven entrance tests.

Dr Sarin also added that the syllabus for the test, that will cover all government, private and minority institutions, is being decided by the CBSE.

This move comes in the wake of Union Human Resources Minister Kapil Sibal's recommendation of a common entrance test for the country's engineering and medical courses.