The National Board of Examinations in Medical Sciences (NBEMS) has reassigned NEET PG 2024 exam centres, sparking outrage among students and raising concerns about the exam’s fairness and logistical challenges. The board cited the addition of new centres and the implementation of a two-shift system as measures to ensure student safety. However, the reassignment has resulted in many students being allocated centres far from their preferred locations, adding to the already existing anxieties of the exam.
The reassignment comes at a time when India is grappling with severe monsoon floods, impacting several states, including Maharashtra, Odisha, Rajasthan, Kerala, Jharkhand, and Bihar. These floods have caused widespread travel disruptions, including flight and train cancellations, further complicating the situation for students who now face the daunting task of reaching their assigned exam centres on time.
Adding to the students’ distress is the lack of timely communication regarding the centre changes. Some candidates reported not receiving any mail regarding their new exam centres, while others expressed their dismay about being allotted cities located hundreds of kilometres away from their preferred locations.
The situation has prompted students, doctors’ associations, and Members of Parliament to urge the Union Health Minister JP Nadda to intervene and re-evaluate the assigned exam centres. Concerns have been raised about the feasibility of reaching these centres given the ongoing floods and widespread travel disruptions.
In response to the growing criticism, NBEMS Chief Abhijat Sheth acknowledged the inconvenience caused by the reassignment and attributed it to the addition of new centres and the removal of private centres for safety reasons. However, he added that not every student could be allocated a centre within a short distance due to the limited availability of suitable venues.
Despite these explanations, the reassignment has generated significant backlash on social media, with users expressing their frustration and criticizing the NBEMS for its handling of the situation. Several users highlighted the mental torture caused by the last-minute changes, especially considering the already stressful nature of the exam.
The Medical association boards, including the Federation of All India Medical Association (FAIMA), have joined the call for intervention, urging the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare and the Education Ministry to address the concerns raised by students. The request emphasizes the need for the exam to be conducted in a single shift at nearby test centres, considering the current circumstances.
The NEET PG 2024 exam is scheduled for Sunday, August 11, and the admit cards are expected to be released on August 4. With the exam just days away, the future remains uncertain for many students who are grappling with the challenges of reaching their allocated exam centres amidst the ongoing floods and travel disruptions. The situation underscores the importance of timely communication, careful planning, and responsiveness to student concerns, especially in such critical situations.
