The students demanded a change in the exam dates. However, the NEET-MDS 2024 will be conducted on the scheduled date of 18 March 2024.
The National Board of Examinations in Medical Sciences (NBEMS) on Thursday, 7 March, postponed the deadline for completing the internship required to qualify for the NEET-MDS examinations to 30 June.
Due to the initial internship deadline set for 31 March, approximately 4,607 students were disqualified from participating in this year’s examinations. These students, admitted in 2018, experienced delays in their examinations over the years due to the pandemic, which prevented them from applying for the current examinations.
“Pursuant to the directions of the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare (MoHFW), Government of India, the cut-off date for completion of the internship has been extended to 30 June 2024 for the purpose of eligibility for NEET-MDS 2024,” said the NBEMS in its notification.
The students were also demanding a change in the date of the examinations.
Despite the extension, the NEET-MDS 2024 will be conducted as per the pre-notified schedule on 18 March 2024.
“Accordingly, desirable candidates who are completing their internship during 1 April 2024 to 30 June 2024, and are fulfilling all other criteria as prescribed in the Information Bulletin of NEET-MDS 2024, can apply for NEET-MDS 2024,” the NBEMS said.
An online window for the submission of applications for NEET-MDS 2024 will be open for such candidates from 9 March (starting at 10 am) to 11 March 2024 (closing at 11:55 pm).
However, the NBEMS has warned that no edit window will be available for candidates submitting their applications during the aforesaid online registration period.
“Candidates are advised to exercise caution while filling in their applications in order to avoid any errors as there shall be no opportunity later to edit or modify any information submitted,” the NBEMS said.
The admit cards for NEET-MDS 2024 will be issued on 15 March.
We thank @mansukhmandviya ji for increasing the date of eligibility criteria.
However, it would have been better if students would have got more time to prepare for the exams and postponement till July.
We still request to reconsider upon the date of exams as well. pic.twitter.com/OGxY9MaCiK
— FAIMA Doctors Association (@FAIMA_INDIA_) March 7, 2024
Almost 4,607 dental undergraduate students are facing the issue of being ineligible for the NEET-MDS exam due to the internship cut off date issued by the NBE, said the Federation of All India Medical Association (FAIMA).
“These students served the nation during the Covid-19 pandemic, compromising their professional years and ended up having delays in their internship completions. It is also seen that with the current exam date being 18 March 2024 for NEET MDS, with so many confusions about the scheduled exam, the students will not be able to perform well in their exams,” FAIMA wrote in its letter to NBEMS.
“Considering the above facts and issues being faced by the dental students of our country, we humbly request you to postpone the NEET MDS 2024 exam to a later date, preferably in July 2024, so that there shall not be any injustice done to the dentists/doctors who served the nation during the most crucial times of Covid-19 pandemic,” FAIMA further said.
We request @MoHFW_INDIA @mansukhmandviya ji to Postpone NEET MDS exam minimum to July 2024 & extend the date of eligibility to 31 August 2024 so as to accomodate COVID affected batches to give exams. @NbeIndia to suggest dates to Ministry accordingly@DrRohanKrishna3 @PMOIndia pic.twitter.com/jsX4pvPbcp
— FAIMA Doctors Association (@FAIMA_INDIA_) March 7, 2024
Earlier, doctors affiliated with the Federation of Resident Doctors Association (FORDA) had approached the Health Ministry to postpone the internship dates citing the following concerns.
Our representatives met the officials from @MoHFW_INDIA to put forth the genuine demands of #NEETMDS2024 aspirants.
We’ve submitted our letter and requested @mansukhmandviya ji to consider their demands.
Based on our interactions, we strongly feel that DCI should’ve done… pic.twitter.com/hXgLxcB53X
— FORDA INDIA (@FordaIndia) March 4, 2024