In a significant move, the National Board of Examinations in Medical Sciences (NBEMS) has reassigned exam centers within Tamil Nadu for candidates appearing for the NEET PG exam. This decision comes after widespread concerns were raised about initial center allocations that placed many Tamil Nadu candidates in distant states like Andhra Pradesh, Karnataka, and Kerala, up to 750-1000 kilometers away.
The NEET PG exam, scheduled for August 11, 2024, is a crucial test for admission to postgraduate medical courses in government and private medical colleges across India. Over 2 lakh candidates, including 25,000 from Tamil Nadu, are set to take the exam this year.
Initially, many Tamil Nadu candidates were not assigned any of their four preferred exam centers within the state. Instead, they were allocated centers in neighboring states, prompting strong objections from various quarters.
Dindigul MP S. Satchithanandam met with Union Health Minister J.P. Nadda to address the issue, urging that Tamil Nadu candidates be given exam centers within their home state. Following this intervention, NBEMS has reassigned centers to more than 75% of the affected candidates, ensuring they can now take the exam within Tamil Nadu.
The candidates have been notified of the changes through emails sent by NBEMS.
This move has brought relief to many students and their families, who were concerned about the long-distance travel and the associated challenges. The reassignment of centers is expected to facilitate smoother participation in the exam for Tamil Nadu candidates.