OOPS: NEET PG 2022, NEET PG 2021 counselling dates clash, candidates cry foul

Apart from the clash of dates, the aspirants have pointed out that when they are supposed to be preparing for the upcoming examination, they are required to attend offline counselling in other states. Besides, a large number of students are not eligible to appear in the examination as they are completing their internship in June 2022.

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.

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.

Also Read: NEET PG Counselling 2021: NMC releases Detailed Schedule on website

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.

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

"When you postponed NEETMDS 2022 to March 6th 2022 which was supposed to be conducted on 19th December 2021 in view of ongoing counselling ie 16 months gap between the two exams,why can't same thing apply to Neet PG 2022," wrote one user.

Calling this a torture, another candidate mentioned on Twitter, "All we have get is unfair dates and uncertainty about NEET PG 2022 exam while still the last exams counselling is going on, yet we are expected to be sane and calm and study for the exam, why are we being tortured?"

Pointing out that there should be atleast 2 months gap between counselling and NEET PG 2022, another candidate wrote, "@mansukhmandviya Sir , it's very worrisome to students who got border ranks n joining neet pg counseling 2021 ... There should be atleast 2 months gap between counseling n neet pg 2022 ... Plz listen to the appeal of lacs of students , thanks."

"People who are border ranks still can't predict will they be selected or to study with two different ends Please consider students Mental Health &please postpone the exam till May-June," read another Tweet.

Meanwhile, referring to the issue, the Tweet of Dr Meet Ghonia, Former National Co-Convener of IMA MSN read, "If NMC, NBE & MCC do Co-ordidnation Meeting before declaring any Exam Notification, then problems which are happening every year won't occur Now,matter will go in Supreme Court for not following order of court & eligibility issue of Interns!"

Also Read: AFMS NEET PG Counselling 2021: Check out schedule, eligibility criteria, details

Another aspirant has referred to the fact that while the students are supposed to prepare for the next year's exam, they are required to attend the offline counselling in other states. "How a Doctor can prepare for next year exam which will be conducted in middle of previousyearexams counseling,we haveto goto otherstates for counselings if we don't get seat in ourstate,kindly understand us #postponeneetpg2022," read the Tweet.

Meanwhile, the Maharashtra Chapter of Indian Medical Association Junior Doctors Network has 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."

"NEET PG 2022 is being conducted in March to increase the workforce for the covid but with not even six months gap in the admissions from the two different exams it will lead to chaos nd improper functioning of the colleges and hospitals.

Considering the above reasons almost 40% of the total students applying for the exam are left confused, with most of them not even eligible to apply," further read the letter.

Apart from these, the letter also pointed out how around 8032 students are completing their internship on or after June 31^st 2022 and holding the exam on March 12 would lead to loss of one year in their academic careers.

Speaking to Medical Dialogues regarding the issue, Dr. Rohan Krishnan, President of Federation of All India Medical Association (FAIMA) said, "There are two schools of thoughts regarding this issue. On the one hand, one group of students are seeking a postponement of the exam, on the other, some doctors are of the opinion that on the one hand seeking for postponement and then protesting for speedy counselling process is harming the system amidst the pandemic."

"Considering the situation, it is best that the Government takes a call," he added.

When asked about FAIMA's stand on the issue, he mentioned, "FAIMA will soon hold a meeting with state RDAs and after that we will decide on our future course of action."

Also Read: Maha CET Cell releases eligibility conditions for candidates seeking medical admissions under NRI Quota, Details