NEET SS to be held in January 2022: NBE releases revised schedule, puts current applications on hold

New Delhi: With the Supreme Court proceedings being concluded on the matter of last minutes abrupt changes to exam pattern, and verdict being out, the National Board of Examinations (NBE) has announced the Conduct of National Eligibility cum Entrance Test for admissions to Super Specialty courses (DM, MCh and DNB SS) NEET SS 2021.

It is advised to all the eligible candidates to register themselves for the examinations and those who have already registered themselves can edit their choices for super speciality courses.

Medical Dialogues recently reported that after being rapped up by the Supreme Court on the last-minute changes to the exam pattern of NEET SS 2021, the Central government decided to introduce changes from next year.  Informing the apex court about the same, the Centre confirmed that this year's NEET SS will be held as per the existing exam pattern. The modified pattern will be given effect only from the academic year 2022-2023.

Around 41 qualified post-graduate doctors across India recently knocked on the doors of the Supreme Court as they expressed their strong objection to the abrupt last-minute changes in the NEET-SS 2021 exam pattern. The petition sought to strike down the changes claiming that the changes are manifestly arbitrary and also there is lack of authority for implementing the changes.

The doctors argued that even though the dates of the NEET SS 2021 exam was announced on July 23, 2021 the changed pattern was made known to the public after more than one month had passed, i.e. on August 31, 2021. Thus, the changes were made only two months before the exam which is scheduled to be held on November 13 and 14.

Further, it was submitted that the previous pattern was in place for the last three years and previously, when changes were made in the pattern or the scheme, candidates were made aware of the same at least 6 months before the exam in order to make sure that the candidates get ample time to prepare.

In fact, the counsel appearing for the petitioner doctors also argued that the last-minute changes in the exam pattern have put the students from disciplines other than general medicine at a disadvantageous position. In the previous pattern, 60 per cent marks were allotted to questions in the super-speciality while 40 per cent from feeder courses. However, as per the changed pattern, the entirety of the questions for the critical care super speciality would be drawn from general medicine.

With the petition consequent hearings before the apex court, several notices were issued to authorise including the Centre, National Medical Commission (NMC) and NBE.

The top had also given a 24-hour deadline to the authorities to revert to the existing exam pattern which eventually led to the conclusion of the case that the revised pattern will be implemented only from next year.

Now, as per the recent notification released on the official website of Natboard concerning the conduct of the prestigious entrance test, the NBE has directed some points for the NEET SS 2021.

It also reiterated, "A decision has been taken by the Government of India in consultation with the National Medical Commission (NMC) and the National Board of Examinations in Medical Sciences (NBEMS) to the effect that the revised scheme for NEET-SS shall be given effect to only from the academic year 2022-2023."

NEET SS 2021 Exam Date

It has been further decided to hold the ensuing NEET SS examinations for the academic year 2021-2022 on 10th January 2022 on the basis of the pattern which held the field until the academic year 2020-2021, the NBE clarified on the exam date.

NEET SS 2021 Applications on HOLD

The ongoing registration window for NEET-SS 2021 shall be put on hold till 31.10.2021 and shall be resumed online at https://nbe.edu.in on 01.11.2021 (3 PM onwards) to make the necessary changes effective and the window shall continue till 22.11.2021 (11:55 PM).

In the forthcoming registration window, candidates who have already registered for NEET-SS 2021 shall be able to EDIT their choices for eligible super-specialty courses, and those who are yet to register shall be able to register AFRESH for NEET-SS 2021.

NEET SS 2021 Exam Fee

Candidates who have already registered and have paid an examination fee of amount more than Rs. 4250/- in case of applying for more than one groups, shall be refunded the EXTRA examination fee paid. Those who are not willing to continue with the application registered in the current window for NEET-SS 2021 in view of the above-mentioned change can submit a request for REFUND of examination fee to NBEMS. 

NEET SS 2021 Revised schedule

All the concerned candidates can view the Updated Dates as follows:

All the candidates are advised to further note that the updated Information Bulletin shall be available on or before the resumption of the registration window on 01.11.2021 at NBEMS website www.natboard.edu.in and https://nbe.edu.in, so kindly wait till then for more details on the application and counselling process.

For any query, please contact NBEMS at 011-45593000 or write to NBEMS at its Communication Web Portal https://exam.natboard.edu.in/communication.php?page=main 

To view the official notice click on the following link:

https://medicaldialogues.in/pdf_upload/natboard-datapublicnoticenotice202110079875-161637.pdf