New NEET-PG exam date to be announced within a week: NBE official

NEW DELHI: The new date for the third round of the National Eligibility Entrance Test (NEET) will be announced within a week, and the exam is expected to be held in the next two months.

Responding to concerns over the last-minute cancellation of the NEET-PG exam, Dr Abhijat Sheth, chairman of the National Board of Examinations in Medical Sciences (NBEMS), clarified that the postponement was a precautionary measure.

“Maintaining the integrity of the NEET PG examination has always been our priority, with its successful conduct over the last seven years,” assured Dr Sheth.

“In light of recent events and concerns of students regarding various exams, the government is revising the standard operating procedures (SOPs) and protocols to ensure safety and security of the exams. We will announce the new date within a week” , he added. Dr Sheth’s remarks referred to the cancellation of two other competitive examinations – NET-UGC and CSIR-UGC.

The NEET-UG exams are also facing controversies due to alleged irregularities and allegations of paper leaks.

Responding to rumors of a leaked NEET-PG question paper circulating on Telegram and being sold at exorbitant prices, Dr Sheth said the medical board quickly issued a clarification on June 21 to dispel such claims.

“We have issued this notice to keep students informed and confident. While we regret the last minute postponement, we assure the student community of a safe and secure examination process, respecting its sanctity,” emphasized Dr. Sheth.

He refuted speculation that the announcement of NEET-PG results would be delayed till September, but did not provide a specific date.

The Health Ministry has convened a review meeting on Monday to comprehensively evaluate the NEET-PG exam process.

The sudden cancellation of the exam has left aspirants dismayed, with over 2 lakh MBBS graduates preparing for the computer-based exam to compete for around 52,000 post-graduation seats across the country. The exam covers 20 subjects, with candidates required to answer 200 multiple-choice questions.

Officials confirmed that the ministry will undertake a comprehensive assessment of the review processes to ensure their robustness.