Around 2.5 lakh MBBS graduates have been affected by the Health Ministry's sudden decision to postpone NEET-PG.
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Around 2.5 lakh students were scheduled to appear for the NEET-PG exam on Sunday, June 23.
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(Photo: Kamran Akhtar/The Quint)
Hailing from Kushinagar, Uttar Pradesh, Dr. Jyoti Gupta is the first doctor in her family. A junior resident at the Delhi State Cancer Institute, he spent the last year working long shifts and preparing for the NEET-PG exam.
A day before his National Eligibility Entrance Test (Post Graduate), he spent Rs 7,000 to fly to Meerut, where his test center was located, and checked into a hotel.
As she finished her revision and got ready for bed, she got a call from her senior saying “her life is going to be ruined.”
Less than 12 hours before the exam began, the Union Ministry of Health and Welfare postponed the test as a “precautionary measure” in view of recent allegations questioning the “integrity” of competitive exams. The new date of NEET-PG is yet to be announced.
“I was in shock and disbelief. It felt like all my hard work was for nothing. I won't get a holiday again and I can't afford to quit. This is my second attempt… Why are they playing with us?” ? Lives?”
Dr. Jyoti Gupta to The Quint
Dr Gupta is the eldest of four siblings – and this test will not only determine her future, but that of her family.
Around 2.5 lakh MBBS graduates, who were scheduled to appear in the computer-based NEET-PG test conducted by the National Board of Examinations in Medical Sciences (NBEMS), were affected by the ministry's sudden decision to postpone the test. have been
Quint Spoke to some candidates who expressed their anguish over the postponement and expressed concern about their future.
'I'm in mental agony…words can't explain the anger'
NEET-PG serves as the single entrance test for doctors for admission to MD, MS, and PG diploma courses. This year, NEET-PG has already seen several changes in dates. Initially scheduled for March 3, NBEMS temporarily postponed it to July 7. A few days later, the date was extended to June 23.
But at 10 pm on June 22, the Ministry of Health issued a statement saying:
“The Ministry of Health sincerely apologizes for the inconvenience caused to the students. This decision has been taken in the best interest of the students and to maintain the sanctity of the examination process.”
The last-minute decision sparked outrage and anger among students at a time when there are nationwide protests over alleged irregularities, including paper leaks, in the conduct of competitive exams like NEET (Undergraduate) and National Eligibility Test (NET). National Testing Agency (NTA).
Dr Sanrit Jakhar, 26, who traveled nearly 450 km from Jaipur to his hometown in Sriganganagar, was among the many candidates who found out about the postponement after reaching the centre.
“I took a long journey from Jaipur to my hometown. As I was tired and stressed about the exam, I went to bed early. There was no one at home at that time. I checked my phone. Didn't and deleted social media. A few months ago when I reached the exam center in the morning, I was surprised to see a cancellation notice outside.
Dr. Sunrat Jakhar is an MBBS graduate from Jaipur National University.
Jakhar, who had been preparing for his exams for a year from Jaipur, had packed his luggage and booked a one-way ticket to his hometown in the hope that he would not have to go back again.
“I don't believe this has happened. This is the last thing you expect from the government… The last 15-20 days were the worst, and now we have to go through this again,” he added.
Another NEET-PG aspirant from Tamil Nadu, who did not want to be named, said, “The mental stress a doctor has to go through is nothing compared to any other profession. We spend 36 hours. 48-hour shifts, where we run to the destination. Floors without food and water, plus, studying 19 subjects for an exam that keeps getting postponed and postponed without explanation.”
“I understand that the government is trying to interfere in the examination process to maintain its sanctity, but it is not right to interfere a night before the exam. If they had done it at least a week before the exam. It would have saved us a lot of pain,” said the candidate.
“Doesn't the government know how frustrating this is? The medical system is completely destroyed. How often do you change the date of an exam?” asked another aspirant, Dr Samik Bansal, 25, from Rajasthan's Tonk district, who had been studying for 10-12 hours a day for the past three months.
'Spent a lot of money on travel for exams'
Like Dr. Gupta, 23-year-old Dr. Sonu Kumawat, an AIIMS Jodhpur graduate from Thane in Maharashtra, spent around Rs 6,500 to reach his destination. Preparing for the exam from December 2023, said Dr. Kamawat Quint:
“I traveled in Second AC so that I could study and revise in peace. I am mentally stressed, studying for about 10-12 hours a day. Seats are limited – and we need to get our preferred skills. When I saw the message came to my inbox at 10 pm, but I could not sleep the whole night when I saw the tweet of the Ministry of Health.
While many aspirants usually quit their jobs to prepare for the exam, doctors like Dr. Gupta were forced to take up jobs to support their families financially.
An MBBS graduate from Kanpur's Rama Medical College and Research Centre, Gupta failed to achieve the expertise she had hoped for in 2023. But to support his father, he had to take up a job.
“It's been a very difficult year for me. I usually work at the hospital between 9am and 5pm, and I study from 6pm till night. Holidays to prepare for my exams for doctors. “It's very difficult to get. But because of my busy schedule, my salary has also been cut. I can't afford to go home anymore,” he said Quint.
'The cancellation of the exam is a lack of seriousness on the part of the government'
“I'm tired, going through the same routine for a year. It's not about me…my whole family is involved.”
At least seven students reported the same Quint.
“I am deeply saddened by the irresponsibility of the government which is playing with the lives of lakhs of doctors. [the ministry] They said that this was done to maintain the sanctity of the exam, but they have not given us any proper reason yet. What are they hiding? Government should take strict action on irregularities. The Prime Minister [Narendra] Modi should pay attention to this.
Dr. Arun Kumar, Resident Doctor, Rajiv Gandhi Super Specialty Hospital, New Delhi
Meanwhile, Dr Dhruv Chauhan, National Council Coordinator of the Indian Medical Association Junior Doctors Network believes that the postponement of the exam shows “the failure of the government to handle such important tests”.
“They have taken the education sector for a ride. When the NEET-UG scam happened, they should have looked at NEET-PG too, and seen if there were irregularities. A few days ago.”
Dr. Dhruv Chauhan
Even as students resume their preparation, there is no clarity on when the exam will be held and how much time they need to prepare for the re-examination.
“During the preparation for such a competitive exam there are various stages… With so much uncertainty, it is difficult to prepare and study all 19 subjects. We don't have a timeline,” Dr Jakhar said. Dr. Jakhar said.
Dr Kumawat from Thane added, “We have no choice but to keep pushing. It is always a question of how we will schedule our studies now and revise everything in time. , but at the end of the day, we have nothing in our hands. We need to prepare for the worst now.”
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