Madras HC allows PG medicos plea, directs varsity to reschedule exams
Chennai: The Madras High Court has rescheduled the Doctor of Medicine (MD) and Master of Surgery (MS) theory examinations set to be held from today, December 9, 2024. The court has instructed Dr. MGR Medical University in Tamil Nadu to revise the examination dates, providing medical students with an opportunity for better preparation.
In its ruling, the court noted that other universities had scheduled their examinations for later dates. The judges observed that what is paramount is the completion of various other years and that rescheduling of the exams would not stand in the way of the university completing courses as mandated by the National Medical Commission (NMC) by January 31, 2025.
The decision came after a writ petition was filed by a group of postgraduate students, who had raised the issue of a tight deadline to submit their thesis by November 29. With only ten days left to prepare for the theory exams, the students said it was unreasonable to have the theory exams scheduled in just over a week after thesis submissions, reports Career 360.
The Tamil Nadu Resident Doctors Association (TNRDA) has welcomed the court's decision, urging the university to implement additional reforms to foster a more equitable and less stressful academic environment for students.
“This judgment is a significant step toward addressing systemic issues in medical education. We express our gratitude to the judiciary for prioritizing the mental health and academic performance of postgraduate students,” the TNRDA stated in an official press release.
The Tamil Nadu Resident Doctors Association (TNRDA) made this request to the authorities while highlighting the lack of clarity on E-journal approvals, continuous corrections from external reviewers, no clarity regarding the practical examination dates, and repeated deadline extensions highlighting a pattern of recurring delays that disrupt academic timelines.
Apart from seeking a minimum gap of 3 to 4 weeks between the revised dissertation submission deadline and the theory examinations scheduled for December 9, 2024, the association has also requested the university authorities to provide a clarity on e-journal approvals and streamlining communications from external reviewers to reduce unnecessary delays. It has also demanded an immediate release of practical/clinical examination dates at the earliest.
Disclaimer: This website is primarily for healthcare professionals. The content here does not replace medical advice and should not be used as medical, diagnostic, endorsement, treatment, or prescription advice. Medical science evolves rapidly, and we strive to keep our information current. If you find any discrepancies, please contact us at corrections@medicaldialogues.in. Read our Correction Policy here. Nothing here should be used as a substitute for medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. We do not endorse any healthcare advice that contradicts a physician's guidance. Use of this site is subject to our Terms of Use, Privacy Policy, and Advertisement Policy. For more details, read our Full Disclaimer here.
NOTE: Join us in combating medical misinformation. If you encounter a questionable health, medical, or medical education claim, email us at factcheck@medicaldialogues.in for evaluation.