CET for PG medical may go online

The National Board of Examination (NBE) which conducts the Common Entrance Test (CET) for PG medical students, is looking to follow the online test format, like the IIM did three years ago.

NBE has forwarded the proposal for the new format to the Union health ministry as the board wants a smooth start from the next academic year. A senior official at the ministry affirms that the NBE has undertaken detailed planning, reported The Asian Age. 

The health ministry had approached the NBE to conduct the CET for PG students as the All-India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS) had expressed its inability to hold the exams due to shortage of man-power. The Medical Council of India (MCI) had earlier approached AIIMS for conducting the CET; however the institute has expressed reluctance in holding the exam for the whole country.

Out of the 60,000 students who appear every year for various PG medical examinations, entrance for almost half of the government seats, around 4,000 seats, is conducted by AIIMS; the rest of the seats are taken care of by private colleges. However, from this session, there is going to be a single CET for the PG students.

According to the news report, NBE has also proposed to the ministry that they should be given the authority to set the question paper. NBE officials expect complete freedom in conducting the test to prevent any sort of leakages. The ministry is expected to give its verdict and assign specific roles and responsibilities in a meeting today with officials of Medical Council of India (MCI). CBSE and AIIMS might also be present for the discussion.

The proposed system will provide a window of 10 days where students can choose a particular date as per their convenience. Nevertheless, the tests will be held in a particular centre and the board will also use biometric identification system besides invigilators and CCTVs at the center.

The IIMs didn't have a smooth run in their initial attempt to adopt the online test format. Will NBE be able to make its online test debut without glitches?

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