May 2021: The coronavirus pandemic already had a devastating impact on the academic calendar.
Conducted by NBE, NEET PG (National Eligibility cum Entrance Test for Post-Graduation) is the national level exam for admission to various MD (Doctor of Medicine)/MS (Master in Surgery) and PG Diploma courses across the country. NEET PG is a highly competitive exam.
The NEET PG was scheduled to be held on April 18 but was postponed for the time being, in view of the rising Covid-19 cases. The National Eligibility cum Entrance Test Postgraduate (NEET-PG) 2021 has been postponed for at least four months and it will not be held before August 31, 2021, the Prime Minister’s Office (PMO) said on Monday.
The final-year resident doctors of India have been the backbone of COVID-care and non-covid care ever since the pandemic began. Many of them have lost their lives in the line of duty. As recommended by the Prime Minister the services of final year residents (DNB, MD, MS, DM, MCh, and Diploma) courses can be extended so as to make available more manpower to tackle the unprecedented pandemic crisis. But requested the Government of India, NMC and the concerned authorities that the mentioned specialty courses (MD/MS/DNB) and super-specialty courses (DM, MCh, DNB-SS) are for a tenure of three years. Before the pandemic, an extension of 6-months would be handed out as punishment for failing in the exams, or for poor attendance. Hence residents completing three years of their tenure will continue their services, however, with a new designation. MD/MS/DNB residents who have completed three years of tenure may kindly be allowed to continue their services under the designation of ‘Senior Resident’, till the time that a new batch of students joins. DM/MCh/DNB-SS residents who have completed three years of tenure may kindly be allowed to continue their services under the designation of ‘Assistant Professor’, till the time that a new batch of students joins. Diploma post-graduate students would usually do a tenure of 2 years. However, many have been serving three-years due to the pandemic and postponement of their exams. They also requested the government to consider one-time exemption of examination and confer the due degrees without delay. With their degrees they will loyally commit themselves to work till the next batches join. They are ready to take the opportunity to reinforce their solidarity and serve their land as a COVID Warrior but want the government to allot them their degree through general promotion so that their academic year is not wasted.
Many associations like FORDA, Resident Doctor’s Association, Ajmer, Resident Doctor’s Association, New Delhi, URDP also supported them and requested the Government of India, NMC and the concerned authorities to look into the matter and find an alternative for them.
Commenting on the same Gaurav Tyagi, Founder- Career Xpert said, “I would say the points doctors are raising are somewhere right as they are the final year residents their academic year should be saved. The reasons doctors are giving are sincere. As this is the unprecedented time. No one could have imagined a catastrophe of this sort. As they say they will support the government in difficult times when needed and also ready to serve as COVID Warriors, but not ready to waste their academic year. Hence, I would request the Government of India, NMC and the concerned authorities to look into matter and find an alternative for them.”
