New Delhi: Noting that several states are facing difficulty in giving incentive marks to in-service candidates due to change in the NEET PG exam pattern this year, the National Medical Commission (NMC) has decided to permit the National Board of Examinations in Medical Sciences (NBEMS) to allow the States to create State-specific ranks only for the consumption of the State Quota seats for the NEET PG Counselling 2024.
NMC took this decision based on the directions given by the Union Health Ministry and to prevent any further delays in the NEET PG Counselling. Previously, States used to add incentive marks to the Score provided by NBE to create a State-specific rank. However, they faced a hurdle in providing such incentivization to in-service candidates because of the change in the exam pattern by NBEMS this year.
Writing to the Additional Secretary of the Union Health Department, Ms. V Hekali Zhimomi, NMC Secretary Dr. B Srinivas referred to the Ministry's letter dated 21.10.2024, regarding the subject of granting incentive marks to in-service candidates in NEET PG 2024, it was mentioned that NMC may continue to adopt provision for granting incentive marks to in-service candidates in NEET PG as was prescribed under Clause 9 of PGMER, 2000 and orders were issued under Section 45 of the NMC Act for compliance.
Also Read: NEET PG Counselling Delay- Doctors Seek Health Minister's Intervention
"In this regard, it is mentioned that with respect to NEET PG counselling 2024, some states are providing state specific incentivization of marks for their in service candidates who worked in rural and difficult areas as per the state reservation policy. In earlier years such States used to add the incentive marks to the Score provided by NBE to create a State specific rank. However, in view of the change in the exam pattern by NBEMS this year, such states are finding it difficult to give incentivization to in service candidates, as was prevalent in earlier years," NMC mentioned in the letter.
"Keeping the above facts in view and to prevent delay in NEET PG counselling it has been decided by the competent authority to comply with the Letter from MoHFW dt 21.10.2024 and accordingly NMC has decided to permit NBEMS to facilitate state counselling authorities to create state specific Ranks to be used only for consumption of State Quota for NEET PG Counselling 2024. This issues with the approval of competent authority," it further added.
Sharing the news on his X (formerly Twitter) handle, the President of the United Doctors Front Association (UDFA) Dr. Lakshya Mittal thanked the Union Health Ministry for acknowledging the association's representation regarding the NEET PG 2024 counselling.
He further mentioned, "The bottleneck issue has been resolved, and we can expect counseling to commence soon. Looking forward to favorable outcomes for all aspirants."
Dr. Rohan Krishnan, an activist and also a Patron to the Federation of All India Medical Association (FAIMA) shared a copy of the NMC letter in an X post and further wrote, "#NEETPG2024Counselling WILL START FROM NEXT WEEK!"
Also Read: NEET PG 2024 Counselling Schedule Expected in 2 to 3 days, says Doctors' body