IMA writes to NBE on NEET PG Internship Deadline, seeks immediate meeting

New Delhi: Expressing concern over the possibility of hundreds of candidates missing their opportunity to appear in NEET PG 2023 due to the eligibility criteria regarding Internship deadline, the Indian Medical Association (IMA) has recently written to the National Board of Examinations in Medical Sciences (NBEMS).

Writing to the Executive Director of NBEMS, IMA has referred to the fact that the eligibility criteria for National Eligibility-cum-Entrance Test Post-graduation (NEET-PG) examination mentions that the candidates must complete their one-year internship on or before March 31, 2023.

"While NBE criteria compels completion of the mandatory internship before a required time frame, practically many aspiring MBBS students yet have to complete their internship as per their local internship schedules," IMA mentioned in the letter dated 08/01/2023.

"These all students will miss their opportunity to seek postgraduate education as the NBE criteria notification dates do not synchronize with the dates of completion of internships at various parts of country," the letter further added.

Also Read: Doctors seeks postponement of NEET PG eligibility criteria till May-June

Seeking uniformity and standardization in postgraduate examinations conducted in the country, the association further mentioned in the letter, "While we are entrusted with the task to bring uniformity and standardization in postgraduate examinations conducted in India, we must safeguard these basic objectives while framing the schedule for NEET PG."

IMA opined that wellbeing and welfare of students should be the primary and only focus and requested the NBE Executive Director to address the issue of eligibility criteria at the earliest.

"IMA Headquarters seek immediate meeting for safeguarding the interests of all medical students and medical education in the country," added the letter.

National Board of examinations (NBE) announced that NEET PG 2023 will be held on 5th March 2023. The result will be declared By 31st March 2023. As per the eligibility criteria announced by NBE, the NEET PG 2023 candidates must complete their mandatory one-year MBBS internship on or before March 31.

Medical Dialogues had earlier reported how the Internship deadline has landed hundreds of candidates at a tough spot since they might lose one whole year since they do not fulfill the eligibility criteria to appear in the entrance examination.

In Gujarat alone altogether 850 MBBS students belonging to five Gujarat based medical colleges might not be able to appear in NEET PG 2023 because they will fulfill the criteria for Internship Deadline only between April 10 and April 30.

Referring to the situation, IMA MSN National General Secretary, Sakshi Singh told Medical Dialogues, "In more than 18 States, 75% medical students are not eligible. MBBS is already a lengthy course of 5.5 Years and the NEET PG aspirants may lose one more academic year because the Universities didn't conduct exam on time. This way, next year two batches will be appearing for NEET PG simultaneously, which is going to be a lot more competition and Chaos."

Meanwhile, IMA JDN has submitted a letter to Dr Suresh Chandra Sharma, Chairman, National Medical Commission (NMC) requesting him to postponed the eligibility criteria from 31st March 2023 to 30th June 2023.

Amid the protests by doctors, NMC has reportedly assured a leading daily that they would not take any decision that might prove to be detrimental to the future of MBBS Students.

While commenting on the matter, Dr Karan Juneja, the National Secretary of IMA JDN told Medical Dialogues, "Hon’ble Health Minister Mansukh Mandaviya ji, NBE and NMC need to urgently resolve the issue of eligibility of majority of intern aspirants as forms are being filled and their is lot of anxiety and mental trauma among aspirants."

Also Read:Amid Protests from Doctors, NMC may reconsider Internship Deadline for NEET PG 2023