PGIMER reintroduces Practical Assessment for DM, MCH medicos

Chandigarh: Taking note of the complaints and concerns expressed by the Professors and HODs regarding the lack of practical skills among the residents, the Post Graduate Institute of Medical Education and Research (PGIMER), Chandigarh has decided to reinitiate practical entrance examinations for its DM\M.CH courses from the next academic session onwards.

The decision in this regard was taken in the Standing Academic Committee meeting held on last Thursday, adds Indian Express.

In the past, severe allegations of favouritism and nepotism during entrance examinations had encircled many prestigious medical institutions. After the introduction of NEET-SS, PGIMER too tried to make the examination process transparent. Earlier the procedure for selections included a written test (80) marks followed by an interview (20 marks).

However, it had been alleged that PGI students who had scored less in the written test were given high marks in the interviews and outsider students, who scored well in the theory part were given much low marks in the interviews. Many such allegations were submitted to the PGI 's authorities.

Medical Dialogues had reported back in 2019 that in an attempt to put a stop to the allegations of favoritism and nepotism in the selection process of its Super Speciality courses, PGIMER Chandigarh had announced the abolishment of the clinical/practical evaluation for entrance examinations of Super-Specialty (SS) medical courses (DM, MCh). 

Also Read: RELIEF To Doctors: PGI Chandigarh Abolishes Practical Interviews For DM, Mch Entrance

The abolishment came following the approval from the President of the Institute and Union Minister of Health and Family Welfare. Thus with the end of interviews in DM/MCh entrance examinations, the selections were made mainly on the basis of the written test of 80 marks.

However, the institute has once again introduced the interview as a part of the selection process. As per the latest media report by Indian Express, recently the agenda was introduced in a meeting held last month and the proposal has been approved during a Standing Academic Committee meeting on last Thursday.

This has resulted in fear and unrest among the junior doctors and writing to the Director of PGI the Association of Resident Doctors of the Institute had previously expressed the concerns over the plans of reintroducing the practical assessment. In fact, the Association had requested the authorities to withdraw the plans for reintroduction.

Similar opinions have been expressed by a senior professor of the institute who termed this decision of reintroduction of practical evaluation as "unfortunate" and told Indian Express, "This is a retrograde step and will breed corruption, nepotism, and favoritism. The entrance examinations are based on a theory paper for 80 marks and the practical component was for 20 marks. Many examinees had raised concerns about the necessity to conduct practical examinations of candidates who had qualified for the theory exams and also expressed their anguish and concerns about the gap between the marks obtained in the theory and practical exams. In many cases, the examinees had secured low marks, though they had topped their theory examinations. These complaints indicated bias and favoritism and in my opinion, put merit on the backfoot. How can a student who has secured top marks in theory, be given 4 out of 20 in the practical exam. There have also been complaints about the lack of uniformity in how the candidates were marked in the practical examinations conducted by the various departments of the Institute. The Institute has a world-class reputation, and only merit must be considered."

On the other hand, Dr Narendra Kumar, Department of Radiotherapy and Oncology opined that "Most complaints are made by reserved category examinees. It is evident from results that they suffered maximum due to this practical exam."

Speaking to Tribune India, Dr. Vivek Lal, the Director of PGI said, "I am talking to almost every one and they seem to want it. Many times professors and HODs have expressed concern over the lack of practical skills among those, who clear exams only on the basis of MCQs. All over the world, students and their mentors are interviewed before admission. I want my residents to be best in the world. Rest assured, the process will be transparent and I can allay their fears for the same."

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