Union Health Minister Mansukh Mandaviya on Friday ruled out postponement of the NEET-PG 2023 examination as demanded by a section of medical aspirants, and said that it will be conducted as per schedule on March 5. This (the decision to not postpone NEET PG 2023) has been taken to streamline the process to avoid further delay in the exam and counselling process caused due to Covid-19, he asserted.
The Minister made it clear that his ministry has extended the cut-off date for all MBBS students who are yet to complete their internship to ensure that no one is left out.
“On March 5, the examination has to be conducted and this was declared five months ago. Those students, who had to appear for it (entrance test), are already preparing,” the minister said in response to a question posed by Congress leader Gaurav Gogoi during the Question Hour on the issue in Lok Sabha.
“Earlier examinations were delayed by seven-eight months and later by four months. If I keep on delaying, such a situation will come," he said, adding, "It is very necessary to fix it". The minister said it is very necessary to conduct the entrance test timely.
For those who are yet to complete their internship, Mandavia said his ministry has already extended the cut-off date. “I have extended the cut-off date so that all students get a chance to appear for the NEET-PG exam, clear it and take admission in PG (postgraduate medical courses),” he said.
A section of NEET-PG aspirants has been demanding the postponement of the entrance test, citing delay in the completion of their internship.
Earlier, a group of NEET-PG aspirants held a protest on Jantar Mantar Road on Tuesday under the banner of the Federation of All India Medical Association (FAIMA), demanding that the government postpone the entrance test.
Dr Sarvesh Pandey from Federation of Resident Doctor Association (FORDA) said that the Minister’s statement has cleared the confusion among the NEETPG aspirants about the examination date and they can now focus on their exams to come out in flying colours.
The ministry has extended the cut-off date from June 30 to August 11 for the NEET-PG aspirants to complete their mandatory one-year internship.
