NEET MDS 2022 Postponed by 4-6 Weeks, Internship Deadline Extended by Health Ministry

The confirmation regarding this came from the Union Health Ministry's letter, which apart from notifying about the deferment of the NEET MDS 2022 examination, also mentioned the extension of the date of completion of a compulsory rotating internship for eligibility for admission to MDS courses.

As per the Union Health Ministry, the last date for the completion of the internship for the MDS aspirants has been fixed at July 31, 2022, instead of March 31, 2022.

"It is informed that the matter has been examined in this Ministry and in order to bring parity between the NEET-MDS 2022 and NEET-PG 2022 examination, it has been decided by the Competent Authority that the date for conduct of NEET-MDS examination, 2022 may be postponed by 4-6 weeks and preferably around the same date as that for NEET-PG 2022," read the Union Health Ministry's letter directed to the Executive Director of the National Board of Examinations and the Secretary of the Dental Council of India.

"It has also been decided by the Competent Authority that the date of completion of compulsory rotating internship for eligibility for admission to MDS courses may be fixed at 31st July, 2022 instead of 31st March, 2022," added the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare.

Also Read: Why not NEET MDS? Students Demand Deferment following NEET PG revised schedule

Medical Dialogues had earlier reported that the NEET MDS aspirants were seeking similar reliefs like those appearing for the NEET PG exam as thousands of students are yet to complete their mandatory internship, which is required for appearing in the MDS entrance examination.

Taking to Twitter several students had pointed out the difficulties that the aspirants will face if the exam is conducted on the scheduled date i.e. March 6, 2022. They had also questioned when NEET PG got postponed why the same relief couldn't be provided to the MDS aspirants.

The NEET MDS 2022 was scheduled for March 6, the registrations for which had ended on January 24 this year.

In a relief to the MDS aspirants, the Union Health Ministry in the communication dated February 17, 2022 mentioned that it had received representations from the United Doctors Front Association and several other similar representations from MDS aspirants, who prayed for the deferment of the exam by 4-6 weeks and an extension of the Internship deadline. 

The letter also referred to the Apex Court judgment dated 08/02/2022, where the court had directed to consider the representation expeditiously.

Finally, providing relief to the MDS aspirants, the Health Ministry has directed to postpone the MDS entrance by 4-6 weeks and extend the deadline for completion of the internship.

Click here to read the letter.