The constant changes in examination dates have adversely affected a large number of MBBS doctors, leaving them in a state of uncertainty.
Published Jun 26, 2024 | 2:00 PM ⚊ Updated Jun 26, 2024 | 2:00 PM
The candidates are a dejected after the Centre postponed the NEET-PG exam. (Creative Commons)
Caught in a maze of uncertainty, life has become mechanical for many NEET-PG aspirants.
They had prepared long for the big day, to take the exam that could define their future. Phones were kept away, and personal interests and hobbies took a backseat as they readied themselves for the exam scheduled for 23 June.
Hours before the exam halls in 292 cities opened their doors, the Union Ministry of Health postponed the NEET-PG entrance exam, flinging the candidates — 2,28,757 to be precise — into a web of uncertainty and disappointment.
Life, for them, changed overnight. They do not know when the exam will be held. The ministry had not specified a date. It said the date will be announced later.
The candidates were not to be blamed for their predicament. The NEET-UG exam had run into turbulence, with allegations of question paper leaks and other malpractices rocking the foundation of credibility on which the country’s professional educational system was built.
Mobile phones that were till recently have now become the major source of information, some specific and correct, but most others speculative.
NEET-PG aspirant Dr Vikas Dodde is among the over two lakh candidates whose lives were upended by the postponement of the exam.
Dr Dodde is posted at the Gandhi Medical College and Hospital in Telangana’s Secunderabad. On Monday, 23 June, he went back to the Orthopaedic department, where he has been posted.
“I did some work as usual,” Dr Dodde told South First. “But it’s hard to accept what happened.”
The professional knows he has to move on, but the going has been tough ever since the postponement.
“I’m trying to move on. I’ve been checking my phone more frequently for updates. The frequency of phone usage has increased because we are continuously checking for updates, but there has been no news yet,” he added.
Another aspirant, Dr Madhuri, too, has found herself glued to the mobile phone screen.
“I am using my phone a bit more compared to the previous week. I check Telegram, where the majority of the medicos connect there and we get most of our news. I found out about the postponement of NEET-PG through Telegram as well,” she said.
The medicos need information, and it is not forthcoming.
The past two weeks have been particularly hard on students aspiring to be doctors. The first blow came when several irregularities were noted in the NEET-UG examinations.
They included awarding of grace marks to many students, an unusually high number of perfect scores, and most significantly, allegations of question paper being leaked a day before the examination.
The NEET-UG fiasco affected students aged 16–18. NEET-UG is among the toughest exams to crack, with nearly 2.4 million students appearing this year to secure one of the approximately 110,000 medical seats available in India. This means that only less than five percent of applicants will make the cut.
The second blow was delivered to young doctors, preparing for NEET-PG. The exam was cancelled at the eleventh hour—literally less than 12 hours before the test was scheduled to commence.
Hyderabad-based psychologist Deepthi Nagesh highlighted the social media buzz surrounding the issue. She noted that students want to stay informed about what is happening. However, she pointed out that one of the primary concerns is the risk of distraction and procrastination.
“The addictive nature of social media, characterised by endless scrolling and notifications, can easily lead students nowhere. Moreover, the vast amount of information available on social media platforms is not always reliable or relevant,” Nagesh pointed out.
“Continuous exposure to others’ accomplishments may induce feelings of inadequacy, undermining confidence and focus. This pressure to constantly compare oneself to others can be mentally exhausting and counterproductive,” she cautioned.
Nagesh added that getting too immersed in the buzz can also cause distress, as students may not see results as quickly as they hope, leading to further anxiety. While it is good to stay informed, overdependence on social media can also be detrimental.
The constant changes in examination dates have adversely affected a large number of MBBS doctors in the state, leaving them in a state of uncertainty. After studying for five years, the aspirants had to take a break year and continue studying all subjects again to sit for NEET-PG.
“We have been studying and fulfilling our duties, and I was almost ready to take the exam. Unfortunately, just as I was about to go to sleep, a news flash announced that the NEET-PG exam had been postponed,” Dr Dodde said.
He said the postponement caused much suffering because they had been studying for many days, enduring emotional breakdowns, and working hard during their internships.
They had only a few hours to study each day, but they managed to cover most of the material. To have the exam postponed less than 10 hours before it was scheduled is like mocking all their efforts. “This is unfair,” he said.
“We were at the peak of our preparation, and this is the time when we need mental peace. Our parents know how much we are going through, and suddenly, it feels like our world has been shattered. Even though we are doctors, we experience anxiety, and such news is a significant setback,” Dr Dodde explained.
“Irregularities and cancellation of examinations cause several hardships to the applicants. Besides economic and financial losses (due to advance travel and hotel bookings), it takes a toll on the mental and physical health too,” Hyderabad-based neurologist Dr Sudhir Kumar said.
“Years of preparations go into NEET-UG and NEET-PG examinations. Students are not wrong, if they feel disappointed, dejected, cheated, and depressed. It is obvious from their demonstrations that they are upset and hurt,” he said.
He added that students should maintain calm and have a positive frame of mind.
“These times are unprecedented, and the response also needs to be well-measured and well-thought-out. Students should have faith in investigative agencies, courts, and the government. All parties concerned are seriously working to find a befitting solution, which would suit all the stakeholders, most importantly the students,” Dr Kumar said.
“Some of the things that students could do to feel better is to spend more time with family and friends, ensure adequate sleep at night, engage in regular physical activity, and eat healthy. They have already made a point by their agitations and demonstrations and there is a need to show restraint now,” he further stated.
“They should conserve their energies to fight bigger battles and emerge a better doctor in the future,” he said.
Dr Kumar recommended seeking professional help from a psychologist or psychiatrist if needed.
“A single night changed everything. They announced it (postponing the exam) just when everyone was about to sleep,” Dr Lahari Ediga, a NEET-PG aspirant, said.
“The high stakes and NEET’s competitive nature can lead to significant stress and anxiety. The pressure to perform well in the exam can cause feelings of failure and despair, which can sometimes result in suicidal tendencies,” psychologist Nagesh said.
“Apart from their studies, their zeal to be successful is another cause of stress leading to anxiety,” she said.
Nagesh emphasised the need for clarity and support. “At this moment, students need clarity, but it’s not in their hands. So, the support of family and friends is crucial. Families should be there with the students, supporting and listening, rather than just saying everything will be okay,” the psychologist said.
(Edited by Majnu Babu)
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