Postponing NEET SS 2024 would Compound Existing Challenges for Aspirants: Doctors Urge NMC to clarify on exam date

New Delhi: Taking up the concerns of the aspirants regarding the possible date for conducting the National Eligibility-cum-Entrance Test Super Speciality (NEET-SS) 2024 examination, the doctors have now requested urgent clarification and action regarding the exam from the National Medical Commission (NMC).

Writing to NMC, doctors under the Indian Medical Association Junior Doctors' Network (IMA-JDN) referred to the communication by the Postgraduate Medical Education Board (PGMEB) dated 23.02.2024, through which the PG Board of NMC had indicated the possibility of not conducting NEET-SS 2024 in the current year and postpone it to 2025.

Medical Dialogues had earlier reported that the said communication came to light after NMC shared the minutes of the meeting dated 23.02.2024 while responding to a Right to Information (RTI) application filed by social and political activist Dr. Vivek Pandey.

Filing the RTI, Dr. Pandey had sought the details of the NMC meeting when the decision to prepone the NEET PG 2024 was taken. The concerned meeting was held under the chairmanship of Dr. Vijay Oza, President of PGMEB on 21.02.2024 at 4:00 PM through virtual mode to discuss the examination and counselling schedule for NEET PG 2024 and the pattern of examination for NEET SS.

Regarding the NEET SS 2024 exam date, the minutes of the meeting stated, "Regarding NEET SS-2024, it was decided that as admissions for academic year 2021 for MD/MS and DNB courses were held only a January to May 2022, therefore, NEET SS-2024 may not be conducted in the current year. However exact date of counselling NEET SS- 2024 in the year 2025 will be decided later."

Also Read: NEET SS 2024 may not be held this year: NMC

Writing to NMC, IMA JDN referred to this communication and pointed out that it has "instigated widespread confusion and distress among NEET SS aspirants nationwide."

The association opined that postponing the examination would derail the career trajectory of the aspirants and also create uncertainty and anxiety. "While cognizant of the complexities posed by the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic and its disruptive impact on the academic calendar, the decision to defer the NEET SS examination for the academic year 2024 carries profound ramifications for aspiring candidates. Such a postponement not only derails their career trajectory but also engenders considerable uncertainty and anxiety among them." the association mentioned in the letter.

"As we represent the large number of young medicos community of India, we implore the National Medical Commission to reconsider its stance and proceed with the NEET SS-2024 examination as initially scheduled. Upholding the sanctity of the examination process is paramount to ensuring equitable opportunities for all eligible candidates," it further added.

Opining that postponement of the exam "would only compound the existing challenges by medical aspirants, particularly against the backdrop of unprecedented circumstances precipitated by the pandemic", the association requested NMC for its "urgent intervention" to "provide clarity and assurance to NEET SS aspirants nationwide."

"We earnestly appeal for a swift and favorable resolution that underscores the principles of fairness and transparency in medical education," the letter added.

Speaking to Medical Dialogues, the National Convener of IMA-JDN, Dr. Indranil Deshmukh said, "Regarding NEET SS 2024, it was decided that as admissions for academic year 2021 for MD/MS and DNB courses were held only in January to May 2022( due to COVID), therefore, batch of 2021 is not eligible to give the exam for this year. So NEET SS 2024 may not be conducted in the current year. But those students who are from 2020 batch and above are also not able to give the exam who are preparing for the exam by leaving their jobs. That's why IMA JDN has raised this concern."

There was a lot of uncertainty and confusion regarding the dates of NEET SS exam this year ever since the National Board of Examinations (NBE) announced the tentative dates of its forthcoming examinations for this academic year. However, the exam calendar released by NBE did not include the dates for the NEET SS 2024 exam even though the tentative dates for NEET PG 2024, FMGE June 2024 etc exams were given.

Earlier, expressing concern over this, the Indian Medical Association (IMA), Maharashtra, and the Maharashtra Chapter of the IMA Junior Doctors' Network had written to the NBE and demanded clarification and sought to know the expected date of conducting NEET SS 2024.

Then, the doctors under the United Doctors Front Association (UDFA) also wrote to the NMC and sought clarity regarding the NEET SS exam date. The association opined that not holding NEET SS 2024 would result in a delay in their career progression and also cause them distress. "We understand the challenges posed by the COVID-19 pandemic and the subsequent disruptions in the academic calendar. However, not conducting the NEET SS examination for the academic year 2024 would have profound implications for aspiring candidates. It would not only delay their career progression but also cause significant distress and uncertainty among them," stated the letter.