New Delhi: A decision by the National Medical Commission (NMC) to defer the National Eligibility-cum-Entrance Test-Superspeciality (NEET SS) for 2024 has triggered concerns among a section of postgraduate doctors.
The junior doctors’ wing of the Indian Medical Association, the largest network of doctors in the country, said in a letter to the NMC Monday that its decision had instigated “widespread confusion and distress among NEET SS aspirants nationwide”.
Through the NEET SS, conducted by the National Board of Examination under the Union health ministry, nearly 20,000 postgraduate doctors compete for the popular degrees on offer include Doctorate of Medicine (DM), Magister Chirurgiae (MCh) or Master of Surgery and Diplomate of National Board SS (DNB SS). There are about 6,000 seats on offer through the test.
The IMA wrote: “While cognizant of the complexities posed by the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic and its disruptive impact on the academic calendar , the decision to defer the NEET SS examination examination for the academic year 2024 carries profound ramifications for aspiring candidates.”
Such postponement not only derailed their career trajectory but also engendered considerable uncertainty and anxiety among them, the IMA said.
Dr Indranil Deshmukh, national Convener of the IMA junior doctors network, told ThePrint since the admission for academic year 2021 for broad speciality PG courses (MS, MD and DNB) were held only in January to May, 2022, due to Covid, the batch of 2021 was still not able to appear in the NEET SS if that was held this year as these students need to complete the three-year course.
“However, this also means that PG students from 2020 and previous batches, who have been preparing for the test by quitting their jobs and not taking new assignments, will lose one precious year,” Deshmukh said.
The IMA’s letter to the NMC said that upholding the sanctity of the examination process was paramount to ensuring equitable opportunities for all eligible candidates. “We earnestly appeal for a swift and favourable resolution that underscores the principles of fairness and transparency in medical education.”
The letter was sent following the Commission’s reply to a Right to Information (RTI) query seeking details of discussions on holding the next NEET SS. ThePrint has seen a copy of the RTI reply.
ThePrint reached out to NMC spokesperson Dr Yogendar Malik over phone for his comments on the matter. This copy will be updated if and when a response is received.
Federation of Resident Doctors Association (FORDA) president Dr Aviral Mathur has said while it may be justifiable on the part of the Commission to delay the test by a few months in order to give the 2021 PG batch a chance to appear, the NMC should officially come up with a timeline on when the test will be held.
“It will allow students of the 2020 PG batch to plan their academic and professional paths ahead,” he said.
(Edited by Tikli Basu)
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