Kerala NEET-PG Aspirants Struggle with Exam Centres in Andhra, Telangana

Quick Summary

• Hundreds of NEET-PG aspirants from Kerala face challenges due to being allotted exam centres in distant locations like Telangana and Andhra pradesh,over 1,000 km away.
• Kerala typically has 13 exam centres for NEET-PG exams, but many students have been assigned to far-off cities this year.
• Students are experiencing anxiety about travel and lodging arrangements; this is particularly difficult for economically weaker students and young mothers.
• Teh indian Medical Association Junior Doctors’ Network (IMA JDN) has escalated the issue via appeals to the Union Health Minister, requesting re-allocation of exam centres closer to home.
• The NBEMS had initially planned a double-shift format but reverted to a single-shift after Supreme Court intervention. This required new center submissions based on first-come-first-served allocation on their portal.
• applicants argue that local allocation is more reasonable for such a high-stakes annual exam.

Indian Opinion Analysis

The widespread assignment of distant NEET-PG exam centres reflects notable logistical shortcomings by the National Board of Examinations for Medical Sciences (NBEMS). For many candidates,including individuals from vulnerable groups like economically constrained households or young mothers,additional travel burdens could disproportionately affect performance during an already challenging process. Aspirants’ appeals through recognized bodies highlight systemic gaps in planning-specifically around anticipating regional demand and arranging adequate nearby facilities.

This issue underscores potential broader implications for India’s competitive academic habitat and its commitment to equitable access. As NEET-PG governs postgraduate medical admissions nationwide-a critical pillar in shaping future healthcare providers-the fairness and mental well-being of examinees must remain paramount. Stakeholders may need long-term solutions aimed at ensuring state-wise balance in infrastructure planning without recurring disruptions in such critical examinations.Read More