“Standard technique…”: NBEMS President on conducting NEET-PG 2024 in two-shifts

New Delhi [India], July 5 (ANI): The National Board of Examinations in Medical Sciences (NBEMS) president, Dr Abhijat Sheth on Friday said that conducting the National Eligibility cum Entrance Test Postgraduate (NEET PG) examination in two-shifts is a “standard technique,” adding that in the past, the exam was held in multiple shifts.

Earlier today, the National Board of Examinations in Medical Sciences (NBEMS) announced fresh dates for the NEET PG exam, which was set to be held on June 22 but was postponed as a “precautionary measure” just 12 hours before the examination. The NEET PG exam will now be conducted in two shifts on August 11.

“In the past, before we joined the National Board of Examinations in Medical Sciences, this exam was conducted in multiple shifts, not in two shifts. The same mechanism of normalization ratio was applied,” Sheth told ANI while replying to whether the exam was earlier held in shifts.

The NBEMS President said that the students should not worry about the examination being conducted in two shifts, as it applies to most of the other exams in the country.

“Yes, we have decided to conduct the NEET-PG on August 11 in two shifts. Students should not worry about the two-shift examination because it applies to most of the other exams in the country that are taken in the shifts. The cut-off date for the purpose of the eligibility to appear in the NEET-PG 2024 will continue to be August 15, 2024,” he said.

When asked about the doctor’s concern about how fairness would be maintained in the exam in both shifts, he said that conducting exams in two shifts is “normal.”

“This is a standard technique for conducting the exams not only in the country but around the globe. Standard normalisation ration will be applied in two shifts. I don’t see any problem with this issue. The students should not worry about this. The steps have been taken in the best interest of the students, and we will ensure that the logistics of the examination will be even improved,” he added.

He further said that August 11 is the final day for conducting the NEET-PG exam this year.

“This has been decided with all the stakeholders, including the government, our own team, and our own vendors. This is the best time to conduct the exams. We will ensure that all SOPs are in place,” he said.

According to the announcement, the NEET-PG exam will now be conducted in two shifts on August 11.

“In continuation of the NBEMS notice dated June 22, 2024, the conduct of the NEET-PG 2024 examination has been rescheduled. The NEET-PG 2024 will now be on August 11, 2024, in two shifts,” said the notice.

The cut-off date for purposes of eligibility to appear in the NEET-PG 2024 exam held for admission to postgraduate medical programmes in government or private medical colleges remains August 15, 2024.

The government had postponed the NEET-PG 2024 examinations following controversy regarding alleged exam “irregularities” in the NEET-UG exam held on May 5.

The National Testing Agency (NTA), which conducted the NEET-UG examination, is facing criticism over alleged irregularities. This prompted a series of protests across the country, with demonstrators and political parties demanding to disband the NTA.’

Meanwhile, the Supreme Court is scheduled to hear on July 8 a batch of pleas alleging paper leaks and irregularities in the NEET-UG exam.