NEET-PG aspirants allotted exam centres in other States, original choices ignored: TNRDA

The Hindu

4 days ago

Despite selecting three preferred cities within Tamil Nadu, many aspirants of the National Eligibility cum Entrance Test-Post Graduate 2025 (NEET-PG), which is scheduled to be held on August 3, have been allotted examination centres in Kerala, Andhra Pradesh and Karnataka, in complete disregard to their original choices, the Tamil Nadu Resident Doctors Association (TNRDA) has said.
In a statement issued, TNRDA expressed serious concern over the manner in which the exam centres were allotted by the National Board of Examinations in Medical Sciences (NBEMS).
Noting that there were widespread grievances among candidates, the association said that students who selected cities in T.N., such as Chennai, Madurai and Coimbatore, were denied centres in their State and allotted to faraway cities in other States. The 'First-Come, First-Serve' basis was violated, as even early applicants were not granted preferred cities. TNRDA added that several candidates were notified only of the State, not the city, till the last moment.
The allotment process has led to heightened mental stress, especially among women and rural candidates who now face long-distance travel and safety concerns, it said.
The association noted that this was a systemic failure despite clear NBEMS guidelines. The NBEMS's notice on July 7 assured that 'more cities will be added and city selection will be first-come, first-serve' basis, and candidates will be able to see only cities where seats are available. In reality, there is a complete mismatch between policy and implementation, the association added.
TNRDA demanded an increase in the number of exam centres within each State, especially Tamil Nadu, to accommodate all local applicants and to ensure city-level allotment transparency and prevent cross-State allotment unless consented to by the candidate. It demanded to allow re-allotment or correction window for affected aspirants immediately and to publish a city-wise seat matrix to justify the allotment process. It also put forward the need to establish a dedicated grievance redressal helpline with swift resolution.
Subjecting NEET-PG candidates to chaotic logistics and mental exhaustion in the name of 'technical limitations' is unjust and unacceptable, it said. TNRDA urged the Union Health Ministry and NBEMS to act responsibly and restore fairness to the NEET-PG 2025 process.