NEET PG 2024 exam, scheduled for August 11, 2024, has again created immense anxiety among medical aspirants across the country. The announcement of the new normalization formula just a month ago and the sudden changes made at the last minute have further increased the already increased anxiety of the students. This follows the previous cancellation of the exam, which was canceled just ten hours before it was to begin, leaving students facing further distress.
1.5 to 2 lakh medical students are now preparing for NEET PG and they are being allotted haphazard and inconvenient examination centres. According to reports, many students have been allotted centers from North to South and South to North, forcing them to travel 1000 to 3000 kilometers. Due to this, students are facing huge difficulties, be it logistics or financial.
Chose Jaipur, got Ahmedabad center
Expressing concern, Dr. Lakshya Mittal, President, United Doctors Front, said, ‘NBEMS, which is the autonomous body responsible for conducting these examinations, should be held responsible for this mess and should be reformed or changed. It is their responsibility to conduct the examinations systematically and allot convenient examination centers as chosen by the students.
Many students shared their problems in the conversation since Aaj Tak. Dr. Alisha, a resident of Jhunjhunu, Rajasthan, had chosen Jaipur as her preferred examination centre, but she was allotted the examination center in Ahmedabad, Gujarat, which is about 800 kilometers away from her residence. He said, ‘Sikar, Delhi and Bhopal were my other favorite options. I had not chosen Ahmedabad at all. Dr Alisha also expressed concern about disruptions in rail and air traffic due to heavy rains and uncertainty about morning or evening exam shifts, making it difficult to book tickets. He said, ‘Traveling so far under the pressure of these exams, finding hotels and dealing with language barriers is increasing my anxiety.’
Students expressed their displeasure on social media
Another NEET PG aspirant from Jaipur, Sonia Choudhary, was allotted the exam center in Jabalpur, while her preferred centers were Jaipur, Sikar, Delhi NCR and Ujjain. He explained, ‘The distance between Jaipur and Jabalpur is more than 800 kilometers. I don’t know whether rail or air transport will arrive on time due to current weather conditions and it will take around 20 hours to travel by car. The financial cost of long distance travel and accommodation has become a matter of concern for many students, increasing their stress.
The displeasure of the students is clearly visible on social media. Delhi resident Dr. Fahad Saifi humorously tweeted, ‘My center is in Kerala’. Another user, Dr Sakshi Gupta sarcastically commented on the irony of the situation, ‘NBEMS- Who said it is just a medical board? The way it has promoted tourism and hotel business is amazing. Sometimes you should think about the candidates too, sir.
Student organizations appealed to the government for a solution
In response to the growing outrage, various student organizations are requesting the government to resolve the issue. Congress Party Chief Whip Kodikunnil Suresh met Health Minister JP Nadda and discussed this problem. He wrote in a post, ‘Union Health Minister J. Met P. Nadda and expressed his concern over NEET PG exam center allocation. The minister showed a positive attitude towards my appeal and ensured immediate intervention.
The repeated disruptions of the NEET PG 2024 exam have left medical aspirants in a state of uncertainty and frustration, demanding immediate action from the authorities to resolve these issues and ensure a fair and accessible examination process. Has been.