Demand for Postponement of NEET PG 2022 Escalates

Referring to the harmful effect of the pandemic on the academic career of the PG medical aspirants, the letter by the National President of NSUI, Neeraj Kundan mentioned, "In these tough times 'the covid warriors' should be specially looked after but the government is least concerned about them. The notice of NEET PG 2022 is out and is scheduled amidst third wave on 12^th March 2022. Moreover, the ongoing counseling of NEET PG 2021 overlaps with the exam which makes it uncertain for the waiting list students, whether to wait or to prepare again with added burden and tension."

At this outset, the letter has referred to the NEET MDS examination which was postponed by 3 months due to the incomplete counselling procedures. "Then why this can't be done in case of NEET PG examination," NSUI President asked in the letter.

"Moreover, only those students are eligible who completed their internship by May 31. The internship of more than 8300 interns from 10 states got delayed because their internship commencement was delayed due to pandemic. Therefore, this notice of NBE makes these covid warriors ineligible to give examination which will lead to loss of their one complete year," further read the letter by NSUI.

It should be noted in this context that NSUI is not the only organization in favour of deferring the exam. Medical Dialogues had earlier reported that approaching NMC, the apex medical regulatory body in India, the Gujarat Intern Doctors' Association (GIDA) had also requested for postponement of the NEET PG 2022 examination to June or July.

Also Read: MBBS interns demand NEET PG 2022 in June/July, ask for internship extension to October 2022

In the letter, GIDA had also referred to the fact that around 8032 interns in 10 states of India are not eligible for appearing in NEET PG 2022 examination as their internship will be complete after June 30, 2022.

The Maharashtra Chapter of the Indian Medical Association Junior Doctors Network has also come forward and taken up the issue to MMC President, who is also an executive member of NMC. Writing to him, the association pointed out in the letter that, "All the students who have received average marks in NEET PG 2021 and are in the process of counselling have been unsure if they will be placed in the college. Delay in counselling has left them confused and they have had no time to study as the mop-up round is scheduled on 12^th March 2022. Had there been no delay in the counselling then a gap of six months was sufficient but now it's not possible for them to appear for another exam in just two months."

Meanwhile, a huge number of students are expressing their frustration on their respective Twitter handles regarding the schedule of the NEET PG 2022 examination which is scheduled on March 12, 2022. The main point of objection for the students is the clash of dates between the exam and the ongoing NEET PG 2021 counselling process.

Even though NEET PG 2021 was conducted back in September, 2021, the counselling process got delayed because of the legal complexities regarding the OBC and EWS reservation policy. After several protest by the doctors, the Supreme Court finally passed its verdict and the counselling process commenced in January 2022. Recently, the NEET PG 2021 counselling schedule was released which mentioned that the process of counselling would continue till March 16, 2022.

The schedule for Online Stray Vacancy Round for All India Quota/ Central & Deemed Universities/ PG DNB Seats would be conducted from March 11, 2022 to March 16, 2022. As per the schedule the last date of joining has been fixed at March 16, 2022.

On the other hand, the date for NEET PG 2022 has been fixed at March 12, 2022. So, the candidates will have to appear at the PG medical entrance for 2022 without knowing whether they have secured a seat in the last year admission process.

Stating their objections, the candidates have expressed their protest regarding the issue and hashtags like #postponeneetpg2022 started trending on Twitter.