Tharoor to Nadda: Authorise Sufficient NEET-PG Exam Centres in Every State

Congress MP Shashi Tharoor has called on Union Health Minister J P Nadda to ensure sufficient exam centres for the NEET-PG 2024 in every state. Tharoor highlighted that this would prevent students from travelling long distances and facing difficulties in finding affordable and safe accommodation.

Tharoor shared his concerns in a letter to Nadda, which he posted on X. He pointed out that since August 4, he has received numerous complaints from NEET-PG aspirants. "I am convinced that there is, indeed, a major problem," he stated. He noted that many students are still required to travel thousands of kilometres to reach their exam centres.

Challenges Faced by Aspirants

Tharoor mentioned the current adverse weather conditions across India, which add to the challenges of ticket availability, affordable accommodation, and safety concerns. He stressed that these factors put aspiring doctors in a difficult situation. He argued that national exams should have enough centres in every state to make them accessible from candidates' places of education or residence.

Additionally, Tharoor raised issues about the two-shift examination system with different papers in each shift and the normalisation of results. "The whole idea of a national examination is vitiated unless it is one test on one date everywhere across India," he said.

Reduction in Exam Cities

Tharoor also expressed concern over reports that the number of cities where the tests will be conducted has been significantly reduced. He urged Nadda's office to address these issues promptly to avoid jeopardising the future of doctors. "If the NEET-PG 2024 is allowed to go through as it is, it will severely imperil the future of our doctors," he warned.

The National Board of Examinations in Medical Sciences (NBEMS) will conduct the exam for 2,28,542 candidates at 416 centres in 170 cities across India. The exam will be held in two shifts, and scores will be normalised.

Efforts to Prevent Malpractice

NBEMS President Dr Abhijat Sheth stated that private entrepreneur institutes have been excluded from hosting NEET-PG 2024 centres for better monitoring and to prevent malpractice. "We are relying on TCS iON centres and AICTE-affiliated institutes for better supervision," Sheth said.

Sheth added that a few private entrepreneur centres have been included only where no TCS iON or AICTE-affiliated institutes are available. "We have ensured that students are issued exam centres in their state as per their given addresses while filling up forms," he explained.

Allocation of Exam Centres

Sheth clarified that holding exams in shifts and normalisation is a legitimate process used by institutions like IITs and AIIMS. Regarding some candidates being reassigned exam centres on August 4, he said this was due to the addition of new centres to reduce inter-state travel, following suggestions from the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare (MoHFW).

"Ninety per cent of students have been allotted exam centres within their state of correspondence address," Sheth noted. The remaining candidates have been assigned centres in nearby states due to limited testing seats in their own states.

The NEET-PG 2024 exam's organisation aims to balance accessibility and integrity while addressing logistical challenges faced by aspirants across India.