PIL filed in Bombay HC to get entrance test for PG medical courses scrapped

Petitioner says those with an MBBS degree have already undergone rigorous hospital training and classroom study for over five years

A public interest litigation in the Bombay High Court has sought scrapping of the entrance exam for postgraduate medical courses, calling it a sheer waste of time and money. Instead, the PIL says, candidates should be admitted to PG courses of their choice based on their performance during MBBS. 

Opposing the National Entrance and Eligibility Test-PG, petitioner Ravi Nair said, “After completing any other course at degree level; there are no mandatory entrance tests for admissions to PG courses in the same stream or sector. Then why should this be mandatory in medical education?” 

Nair, a media consultant, has been advocating against the NEET-PG for some time. He said MBBS students already undergo rigorous hospital training and classroom study for over five years and they just head on their path to specialisation through PG courses.

Registration for NEET-PG, coaching and admission cost a lot of money, he said. “In my research, I have come across cases where a higher score candidate is still waiting for admission as a government college seat is the only option for him with financial constraints but another with lower score in NEET-PG is able to get a seat in private college with financial support from parents,” said the petitioner. Nair wants a review of the existing practice so that better alternatives can be worked out. 

Advocate Anup Dhannawat who is representing Nair along with advocate C R Sadasivan said, “It is a valid question to ask–why NEET-PG when the person is already competent enough to be a doctor?” The PIL demands an increase in PG seats.

Dhannawat said, “If anything, the pandemic has made us realise that we are in dire need of doctors. With NEET PG we have several trained doctors with MBBS degrees sitting at home preparing for this test. Instead, if admissions to PG are automatically decided; they can begin their work at the linked hospitals. This will be a win for all,” he said.s

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