NEET PG 2025 Centre Allocation Chaos: Aspirants Forced to Travel Across States

NEET PG 2025 aspirants face centre allocation chaos, allotted distant exam centres despite preferences. IMA-JDN flags distress, seeks urgent intervention from Health Ministry and NBEMS. Demands include reopening choice window and in-state allocation.

The core of the problem lies in the National Board of Examinations in Medical Sciences (NBEMS) allotting NEET PG 2025 examination centres in distant states, forcing aspirants into gruelling journeys and incurring significant financial burdens.

The Distress: Aspiring doctors, particularly from states like Kerala, Tamil Nadu, and Karnataka, have reported being assigned centres requiring up to 20 hours of travel by train or road. Many find themselves in unfamiliar cities with no direct connectivity, adding to the stress of an already high-stakes examination. For instance, hundreds of candidates from Tamil Nadu have been allotted centres nearly 600 km away in Andhra Pradesh.

Impact on Aspirants: This centre allocation chaos has led to immense logistical and financial hardship, disproportionately affecting women, economically weaker candidates, and those from remote or rural regions. The added stress is also a major concern, potentially impacting their mental well-being and exam performance.

IMA-JDN Flags Distress, Seeks Urgent Intervention 

Recognizing the severe implications for the medical fraternity, the Indian Medical Association-Junior Doctors' Network (IMA-JDN) has taken up the cause. They have sent an urgent representation to Union Health Minister J.P. Nadda, highlighting the widespread distress and calling for immediate action. Regional bodies such as the Tamil Nadu Resident Doctors' Association and United Doctors Front, along with Members of Parliament from affected states, have also amplified these concerns, demanding a swift resolution.

Key Demands from Aspirants and Medical Bodies: 

The IMA-JDN and other bodies have put forth a clear set of demands to ensure equity and accessibility in the medical examination system:

• Reopening of the Centre-Choice Window: To allow candidates to re-select centres that are genuinely accessible to them.
• Allocation in Home State or Nearby Districts: To ensure aspirants are assigned examination centres within their state or in adjacent districts, minimizing travel burden.
• City-Level Seat Matrix: To introduce transparency in the centre allocation process by providing a clear breakdown of available seats at the city level.
• Grievance Helplines: Establishment of dedicated helplines for immediate redressal of issues faced by candidates related to centre allocation.

The IMA-JDN has stressed the need for the Health Ministry and NBEMS to act swiftly and address these concerns, emphasizing that the current centre allocation system is causing undue hardship and undermining the principles of fair examination.

Conclusion:

The growing outcry over NEET PG 2025 centre allocation underscores a significant challenge for medical aspirants. With medical bodies pushing for a resolution, the focus now shifts to the Health Ministry and NBEMS to implement corrective measures that prioritize candidate convenience and accessibility, ensuring a smoother examination experience for the country's future doctors.