The abrupt postponement of the NEET-PG 2024 examination, scheduled for Sunday, has prompted strong reactions from student bodies and doctors’ associations. The last-minute announcement by the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare has led to widespread discontent, with many calling for an investigation into the conduct of medical entrance exams in India.
Abrupt Postponement
The NEET-PG exam was cancelled just 10 hours before it began, leaving thousands of candidates, who had travelled from various parts of the country, affected. Dr. Lakshya Mittal, National President of the United Doctors Front Association, criticized the decision, stating that cancelling the exam on such short notice was distressing for the candidates.
Mittal noted that the Ministry cited concerns over the exam’s “integrity and sensitivity” but argued that the cancellation was poorly handled. He called for a high-level investigation into the agencies responsible for conducting both NEET-PG 2024 and NEET-UG 2024 exams, emphasizing the need for accountability in India’s medical education system.
Demands for Transparency in NEET-PG 2024
Yagyawalkya Shukla, General Secretary of the student organization ABVP, demanded clarity from the Centre and the National Board of Examination regarding the sudden cancellation. In a video statement, Shukla urged the authorities to fully disclose the reasons behind the decision to the affected students.
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Shukla stated, “If the National Board of Examination or the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare had any kind of suspicion, they should have brought forth everything in front of candidates with full transparency.”
Political and Medical Community Responses
Dhananjay, President of the JNU Student Union (JNUSU), expressed frustration, calling the government’s action a significant failure. “Students travel across cities to sit for this exam. This government has failed students on many levels,” he said.
Dr. Rohan Krishnan, President of the FAIMA Doctors’ Association, also expressed concerns, urging the National Board of Examinations to provide immediate and concrete explanations for their decision. “I hope that the National Board of Examinations had concrete reasons to postpone this examination and they should come up with immediate answers. I request the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare to come forward and explain why the exam is postponed,” Krishnan stated.
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Looking Ahead
The demand for accountability and transparency grows as the new date for the NEET-PG 2024 exam remains unannounced. Students, doctors, and various associations continue to call for a thorough investigation into the conduct of the NEET exams to restore trust in the medical education system. The Centre’s response and the actions taken in the coming days will be crucial in addressing the concerns of the affected candidates and ensuring the credibility of future examinations.
Also Read: Rahul Gandhi Criticizes Govt Over NEET and UGC-NET 2024 Uproar
