NEET MDS Postponement request Under Process: Health Ministry Responds to RTI
New Delhi: While responding to a Right to Information (RTI) application, the Union Health Ministry has informed that the representations for postponement of the National Eligibility-cum-Entrance Test (NEET) examination for MDS courses are "under process".
The RTI was filed by the All India Students' Union (AISU) on 08.02.2024 seeking information regarding the postponement of the NEET MDS 2024 examination, which is scheduled to be conducted on March 18, 2024, by the National Board of Examinations (NBE). However, the NEET MDS aspirants have been demanding postponement of the examination to July.
Referring to its earlier letter dated 29.01.2024, AISU in its RTI sought to know the feedback obtained in respect to the issues raised in the said letter. In the said letter, the association had tried to address the NEET MDS 2024 aspirants' concerns regarding the upcoming exam's scheduled date.
"The common counselling process for NEET PG and NEET MDS, coupled with the fact that admissions can only commence post the completion of NEET PG Internship (expected in Aug/Sept 2024), renders the March NEET MDS exam impractical," the association mentioned in the letter.
Further, the association had also pointed out that BDS students the 2018 batch face potential ineligibility due to internships extending beyond 31st March 2024.
"We earnestly request the competent authority to reevaluate the NEET MDS exam schedule and consider aligning it with NEET PG, preferably in July. This adjustment will not only address the highlighted concerns but also ensure fairness and uniformity across both NEET PG and MDS aspirants," AISU had requested the authorities.
Filing the RTI on 08.02.2024, AISU sought to know the feedback from the authorities regarding its earlier representation. Responding to the application, the Dental Education Section of the Union Health Ministry informed, "A few representations regarding NEET MDS Exam Schedule, have been received which are 'Under Process' in this Ministry."
NEET MDS aspirants have been demanding the postponement of the exam to July like the NEET PG examination. Taking to social media, they have highlighted that even if the exam is conducted in March, the counselling would not commence soon.
According to the MDS aspirants, the counselling process for the NEET PG examination and NEET MDS are always conducted together. Therefore, with the NEET PG getting postponed to July, it is unlikely that NEET MDS counselling would be held anytime soon. Terming it to be an "injustice", the aspirants have been demanding that the NEET MDS exam also get postponed till July.
Online petitions have already been launched by the candidates highlighting the fact that the commencement of the NEET MDS 2024 in March is causing extreme emotional distress as they don't have enough time to prepare for the exam. The aspirants filed several online petitions seeking the postponement of the exam on change.org a few days ago and thousands of aspirants signed it.
Meanwhile, the students also approached the Supreme Court seeking legal help in the matter. During the hearing of the plea seeking postponement of the NEET MDS 2024 exam, the Union Government informed the Supreme Court bench on Wednesday that it is looking into the grievances of the candidates regarding the extension of the internship deadline.
Considering this submission, the Apex Court bench did not pass any order on the plea seeking to postpone the National Eligibility-cum-Entrance Test for the Master in Dental Surgery course (NEET-MDS) 2024 exam and demanding an extension of the internship completion deadline.
Also Read: Expeditiously decide on NEET MDS 2024 internship deadline: Supreme Court tells centre
