The National Eligibility Entrance Test - Postgraduate (NEET PG) 2024 has sparked widespread frustration among aspirants due to the allocation of exam centres situated far from their homes. With some centres located up to 1,000 km away, many candidates are vocally demanding relocation to centres closer to their preferred cities. This issue has gained considerable traction on social media and has garnered support from several prominent parliamentarians, including Congress MP Shashi Tharoor.The first of these newly established hostels, designed to accommodate 70 students, has already started operations. The initial batch of first-year students has begun moving into these facilities. The second hostel, which will house an additional 50 students, is slated to open soon, further expanding the accommodation options available for newcomers.
On Wednesday night, the National Board of Examinations in Medical Sciences (NBEMS) released details regarding the exam city allotments. Initially expected to be communicated via email, many candidates received their information through SMS. The NBEMS provided only the names of the cities where the exam centres are situated, with specific addresses to be disclosed later on the admit cards. NEET PG 2024 is scheduled to take place on August 11, divided into two shifts.
Aspirants have taken to social media, particularly X (formerly Twitter), to express their discontent. NEET PG candidate Anandita shared her frustration, stating, “Last time got a centre 10 km away and now they have allotted a centre 1,000 km away which wasn’t even in my 4 options in UP. What kind of arrangement is this? Can someone please take any action?” This sentiment echoes across various posts, reflecting a common grievance regarding the extreme distances candidates must now travel.
Another affected candidate, Sajit Khan, highlighted the situation in Thrissur, Kerala, where candidates are facing significant travel challenges. The allocation issue has attracted attention from public figures, most notably Shashi Tharoor, Congress MP from Kerala. Tharoor has been actively involved in advocating for the students, tweeting, “My letter to Health Minister J.P. Nadda on a critical issue affecting NEET PG aspirants from Kerala. The meeting referred to has taken place this afternoon, and the Minister has promised sympathetic action to resolve the problem.” His support has been praised by many, including user Panchayat Sahayak Vikas, who commended Tharoor’s efforts in highlighting the injustice faced by aspirants.
The situation has also drawn support from other parliamentarians. Dr. Ishwar Singh Chouhan, a physician and MP, expressed hope for a resolution, stating, “Many Members of Parliament wrote letters and met with the honourable Health Minister J.P. Nadda ji. Hopefully, NBEMS will take action about centre reallocation.” The involvement of such public figures underscores the gravity of the issue and the widespread concern over the exam centre allocation.
Candidates have raised several practical concerns about the distant centres. Dr. CK Prabhakaran noted the lack of exam centres in Tamil Nadu, forcing students to travel to other states. This has led to significant hardships, as highlighted by another user, Raghu Jat, who questioned the feasibility of requiring candidates to travel long distances, especially with the added burdens of high travel costs and adverse weather conditions.
The NBEMS has faced criticism for its perceived lack of transparency and inadequate communication. Dr. Raj voiced disappointment with the board’s handling of the situation, remarking, “First, you guys respect the doctors in the country. NEET PG aspirants are very disappointed by NBEMS’s mismanagement! There’s no proper information regarding the two shifts of the exam!” Such criticism reflects a broader dissatisfaction with the exam administration’s approach to managing logistical and communication issues.
As demands for centre relocations grow louder, it remains uncertain how the NBEMS will address these concerns. Candidates are calling for exams to be conducted in a single shift within their home states to alleviate the logistical challenges and financial burdens imposed by the current centre allocations. For now, NEET PG 2024 aspirants await further updates, hopeful that their concerns will prompt a review and potential adjustments to the current arrangements.
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