Srinagar, July 31: Candidates from Kashmir valley who would appear for National Eligibility cum Entrance Test for Super Specialty (NEET-SS) on Monday demanded NEET PG Centre in Srinagar.
They said they have to travel to Jammu and other cities to take part in the examination, which is both tiresome and time-consuming. This added burden of travel affects their preparation and adds unnecessary stress to the already challenging examination process.
Spokesperson, Resident Doctors Association, GMC Srinagar, Dr Muzaffar Shah said more than 200 students from Kashmir are appearing for NEET-SS in September and are expected to move out for the examination conducted by the National Board of Examination (NBE).
“There is no centre in the valley. The nearest centre has been established in Jammu and other cities. First of all, it will cost time and the airfares are too high. There should be one examination centre in Kashmir just like other examinations,” he said.
The examination is a key milestone in medical career of graduates. It is scheduled for Sep 9-10, 2023 while the admit cards for the examination are likely to be issued on September 4.
“No NEET examination centre in Srinagar has led to great distress among all the aspiring MD/MS doctors of the Kashmir valley as they have to travel to Jammu and other cities. The geographical disparity poses a significant challenge to the candidates from Srinagar & other districts as they are forced to undertake a long and arduous journey to reach the examination centre in Jammu,” the spokesperson said.
As per the candidates travelling not only adds to their financial burden but also causes unnecessary stress and anxiety, ultimately affecting their performance.
The aspirants have requested the concerned authorities to intervene in the matter and set up an additional NEET SS 2023 examination centre in Srinagar.
They also requested Administrative Secretary, H&ME Department, Bhupinder Kumar, to take up the matter with the concerned authorities which would of great help for the candidate.
“This would undoubtedly be a great stride towards enhancing the educational prospects of aspiring medical professionals from our region and reinforce the government’s commitment to provide equitable opportunities for all,” the RDA spokesperson said.
In 2021, the NBE has refused to set up adequate exam centres in Kashmir for the NEET Post Graduate (PG) 2021 aspirants whose exam centres were then allotted in Jammu.
DAK demands NEET-DM, MCh exam center in Kashmir
Doctors Association Kashmir (DAK) on Monday has demanded to set up National Eligibility cum Entrance test (NEET) center for DM/MCh courses in Kashmir.
“That would bring relief to hundreds of aspiring candidates who are appearing for various super speciality courses,” said DAK President Dr Nisar ul Hassan.
Dr Hassan said with no center in Kashmir, the aspirations of doctors in the valley are under the threat of going down the drain.
While Jammu has been provided with a center, but for majority in Kashmir there is no centre which is unfair.
“This would jeopardize the career of hundreds of aspirants who would not be able to write the examination,” he said.
The DAK President said most of the doctors who are appearing for the test are working in various hospitals and going to Jammu for the test would affect the functioning of the hospitals.
“Going outside Kashmir means lot of expenses on travelling and hotels which for many aspirants becomes financially unviable,” he said.
“The increasing travel costs, combined with the uncertainty caused by frequent closures of the Jammu-Srinagar national highway due to inclement weather has left aspirants in a state of distress,” he added.
“NEET-SS is a single window entrance examination for various DM/MCh courses and it has replaced all state level tests,” said Dr Nisar.
“The test for the academic session 2023 will be held on September 9 and 10. This online examination will be conducted by the National Board of Examination that has provided 45 test centers across the country,” he said.
