Expert Panel Suggested Changes in NEET SS Exam Pattern, says NMC Secretary
New Delhi: Changes were introduced in the National Eligibility-Entrance Test Superspeciality (NEET-SS) 2024 exam pattern after an expert panel was constituted to decide the eligibility criteria for admission to various super speciality courses, ET has reported.
This panel comprised experts from related fields, medical institutes, and members of the Postgraduate Medical Education Board (PGMEB) of the National Medical Commission (NMC).
As per the Daily, an NMC official suggested that steps have been taken to streamline the eligibility criteria for admission to super speciality courses.
Medical Dialogues had earlier reported that issuing a notice, recently, the National Board of Examinations (NBE) released the exam scheme for the NEET SS 2024 exam, scheduled to be held on 29th and 30th March 2025.
As per the notice, through which NBE announced the changes in the exam pattern, there will be separate question papers for candidates for Medical Oncology and Critical Care Medicine Groups.
This pattern has been introduced by the authorities only for admissions to superspeciality (DM/DrNB) Medical oncology, and Critical Care Medicine. Rest of the scheme of examination shall continue to be the same as for all groups.
Referring to this, the Secretary of NMC, Dr. B Srinivas told Education Times, "A panel consisting of experts from the related fields, medical institutions and PGMEB members was formed to decide the eligibility criteria for admission into various super speciality courses. After this, the decision was made to bring in these changes. The decision to add a separate question paper group was then informed to NBEMS, which is responsible for conducting the NEET SS exam."
Generally, the primary eligible feeder specialities and questions from both general and sub-speciality components at the PG exit level are included in the exam for selected groups. In this regard, Dr. Srinivas added, "Previously, postgraduate students had questions about the limited eligibility for super speciality course admissions. This step has been taken to expand their admission opportunities."
Meanwhile, the students are concerned about the changes in the NEET SS exam pattern, which according to them will increase the hustle for the PG medical students. However, Dr. Srinivas added, "There shall be a separate day for the postgraduates to appear for the additional question paper group, meanwhile, the existing question paper group consisting of 150 questions will be required to be finished within 150 mins (2 hours and 30 minutes)."
Every year, around 800-1000 super speciality seats remain vacant. In order to reduce such wastage of seats, NMC back in the year 2021 broadened the eligibility options for admission to super speciality courses. Similarly, this year, NMC has introduced a separate question paper group. "The step will indirectly help in reducing the seat wastage since it will allow more number of candidates to take admissions into Oncology and Critical care medicine," added Dr. Srinivas.
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