Candidates Raise Concerns Over NEET PG 2024 Results Alleging Discrepancies, Lack of Transparency

NEET PG Candidates are urging NBEMS to take immediate corrective actions and provide clarity on and release Raw Scores and Answer Keys of NEET PG 2024, candidates are demanding access to their actual scores and the official answer keys to verify the accuracy of their results.

Candidates across India are voicing serious concerns over the recently announced results of the National Eligibility cum Entrance Test for Postgraduate (NEET PG) 2024. Allegations of improper normalization, inflated ranks, and lack of transparency have led many to question the fairness of this year's examination process conducted by the National Board of Examinations in Medical Sciences (NBEMS).

Sequence of Controversies Leading Up to the NEET PG Exam

The NEET PG 2024 journey has been tumultuous from the outset, with multiple unexpected changes and logistical issues adding to the candidates' stress and confusion:

Frequent Rescheduling: Initially scheduled for July, the exam was postponed to June, then abruptly rescheduled again just a night before the exam date. The final exam was conducted on August 11, 2024, giving students only 15 days to adjust to the new date.

Sudden Pattern Change: Candidates were taken aback by an unexpected change in the examination pattern, leaving little time for adequate preparation.

Introduction of Two Shifts: For the first time, the exam was conducted in two shifts, raising concerns about the normalization process and equality of difficulty levels between the shifts.

Inadequate Exam Centers: Some students were assigned centers in flood-affected areas, causing additional hardship and impacting their performance.

Allegations of Discrepancies in NEET PG Results

The results announced on August 23, 2024, have intensified the dissatisfaction among aspirants. Key issues raised include:

Improper Normalization: Candidates claim that the normalization process failed to account for the varying difficulty levels between the two shifts. This has allegedly led to significant discrepancies in scores and ranks.

Inflated and Inconsistent Ranks: Reports suggest that students with similar or even higher correct answer counts have received disproportionately lower ranks. For instance, one candidate from Assam noted, "Several candidates obtained a score of 18,000 with only 110 correct answers, while others obtained a rank of 60,000 with 140 correct answers."

Lack of Transparency: The NBEMS has been criticized for not releasing raw scores, official answer keys, or detailed explanations of the normalization methodology. A candidate from Madhya Pradesh commented, "This looks like a senseless distribution of ranks. We demand a re-evaluation based on the difficulty level of both shifts."

Impact on Candidates' Futures

Some of the students have alleged that discrepancies will have serious implications on their career prospects. One student expressed frustration, stating, "Based on my performance and answer key analysis, I was confident of securing a much better rank between 17,000 to 23,000. This unexpected outcome of ranking around 54,000 not only affects the branch I might ultimately choose but also means a significant loss of time and opportunity."

Demands and Questions Raised by Candidates

In light of these issues, candidates are urging NBEMS to take immediate corrective actions and provide clarity on several fronts:

Release of Raw Scores and Answer Keys: Candidates are demanding access to their actual scores and the official answer keys to verify the accuracy of their results.

Explanation of Normalization Process: There is a call for a detailed disclosure of the methodology used to normalize scores between the two shifts.

Justification for Two-Shift Examination: Aspirants seek reasons behind the sudden implementation of a two-shift system and why adequate measures weren't taken to ensure fairness.

Addressing Logistical Failures: Questions have been raised about the poor management leading to frequent rescheduling and allocation of exam centers in unsuitable locations.

Ensuring Future Transparency: Candidates emphasize the need for establishing transparent and consistent examination practices to prevent such issues in the future.

Historical Context of Candidate Anxiety

The unrest surrounding NEET PG 2024 is not an isolated incident. Prior to the exam, students grappled with anxiety due to repeated postponements, technical glitches during city selection, and allocation of distant exam centers. These compounding issues have exacerbated distrust and frustration among medical aspirants nationwide.

NBEMS Yet to Respond

As of now, the NBEMS has not issued an official statement addressing these concerns. Candidates and various student organizations are planning to escalate the matter through formal complaints and possible legal action if their demands are not met promptly.

The controversy surrounding NEET PG 2024 underscores the critical need for transparent and fair examination processes, especially in high-stakes scenarios that shape the future of aspiring medical professionals. Stakeholders await a comprehensive response from NBEMS to restore confidence and ensure justice for all candidates affected by these alleged discrepancies.