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The Madras High Court has allowed a 16 year old girl to take the National Eligibility cum entrance test. This is news because the minimum age stipulated for taking the test is 17 years.

A bench of Justice MM Sundresh & S. Kannammal declined to interfere in an order which permitted the 16 year old to take the test. The plea averred that underaged students should not be permitted to join medical colleges.

"Talent must be recognised irrespective of age," said the Court, also referring to how the legal fraternity is full of lawyers who are young but highly talented.

The appeal was filed by National Testing Agency against an order of Justice B. Pugalendhi who had stated that the 16 year old Shree Harini was ready to go to university and that she should be allowed to take the NEET 2021, directing that the Intelligence Quotient of Harini be tested and that if she is found fit to take the test, nothing should stop her from doing so.

In this order, the Single Judge bench had stated that there are many child prodigies who have even completed their graduation, such as those of Laurent Simons who did so at the age of 11 or Tanishq Abraham who became a biomedical engineer at the age of 15.

"This court is of the view that her candidature can be considered and she can be permitted to sit for NEET. IN fact, she is asking for a chance to appear in the entrance examination and not for a seat in the medical college," Court said.

Case Title: NATIONAL TESTING AGENCY Vs. MINOR SP.SHREE HARINI AND 3 OTHERS