NEET UG 2024 Issue Could Have Been Stopped if Exam was Online: FORDA President Aviral Mathur
In an exclusive interview with Shiksha.com, the president of the Federation of Resident Doctors Association (FORDA) and MAMC RRC, Aviral Mathur, shared his insights on problems faced by medicos in India, NEET UG controversy, time-bound sections in NEET PG, FMGE and other examinations. Read the important highlights from the Shiksha interview with FORDA president Dr Aviral Mathur here.
Q: How do you look at the NEET 2024 result controversy? What according to you steps should be taken to avoid rigging in the NEET examination?
A: The NEET UG controversy happened in multiple areas of the examination. Initially, our point of contention was grace marks. In any national-level entrance examination, there shall not be the provision of grace marks. Thankfully, the Supreme Court of India has taken the correct measure of revocation. Secondly, the point of concern was the paper leak, we believe that the Supreme Court will and is taking the right measures against all the allegations. We believe the issue arose because the examination was offline. At times, there are chances that offline papers. The issue could have been stopped if the examination was in online mode.
Q: Do you think the NEET 2024 re-exam is the solution for all NEET UG aspirants?
A: The re-neet exam that was held on June 23, 2024, was not the correct solution for all. The main concern will be re-ranking. In case any student gets marks lower than already provided, then the ranking for all students will be shifted. This would result in the counselling process and also in the college allotment process.
Q: Will an independent body investigation on NEET UG controversy make a difference?
A: NTA itself is a very big agency. After Gaogao (China), NTA is the largest exam-conducting body in the world. We believe, that if an agency is challenging the NTA, then it should be an agency who have more credibility than the NTA such as the CBI.
Q: What do you think about NEET UG counselling 2024? Should it be postponed?
A: The honourable court has taken a decision to continue the NEET UG counselling 2024. If the court has taken the decision then it must have been on the basis of valid reasons. However, We believe that the NEET UG ranking will be after after the examination held on June 23. The students would be affected. But again, the apex body and the conducting authority are the right parties to decide on the counselling process.
Q: The National Exit Test (NExT) is in discussion these days. What do you think will be the consequences of eliminating NEET PG and FMGE exams for PG medical courses?
A: Definitely, we have gone through the rules and regulations of the NExT exam. Barring a few points, the National Exit Test has a great scope of offering students the opportunity they deserve. If the National Exit Test is implemented correctly, it will definitely help the PG medicos.
Q: Madras High Court Panel suggested abolishing of NEET UG exam; instead, admission shall be based on Plus 2 marks to protect the interest of state board students. What is your take on this?
A: NEET UG is a national-level entrance test for the best interest of students. I believe that taking admission not based on the NEET UG exam is not the correct approach. The students must be judged on the basis of equality all over India. Also, if a state believes its syllabus is different from the NCERT syllabus then it must streamline its syllabus in order to provide fair chances to its students to compete at the national level.
Q: NBE has recently introduced time time-bound section in NEET MDS, FMGE, and GPAT exams. Do you think it is fair for students?
A: In many entrance examinations, time bound section is there like in several AIIMS examinations the time-bound section exists. There is nothing wrong with time time-bound section in order to match the global level of education. However, we believe there must be a provision to revisit the questions and make corrections to them. At times, it happens that you remember an answer during the examination. The inability to make corrections in any question creates unnecessary stress for the students during the examination.
Q: FORDA has always been in support of Medicos, what problems are currently faced by medical students in India other than NEET-UG?
A: Currently, medical students are facing issues the following issues that need eminent changes:
- Safety of Medical Students: We had a meeting with NMC recently for students to have a law for violence against medicos as safety against medical doctors is often taken for granted. Further, mental health for medical students must be taken care of including fixation of duty hours.
- Bond Policy for UG, PG and SS students: A minimum and uniform bond policy is required for all medical students.
- Health Scheme for Medical Students: Medical students must be covered under some health scheme as while operating patients, the medicos themselves get contacted to severe problems.
- Maternity Benefits for Medical Students: The female medical students must be given remuneration for the maternity leave without having to work for extended periods to cover the leaves they took maternity leave. The PG medical students must be given medical benefits at par with what other females get during their maternity leaves.
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Mayank Uniyal is a seasoned academic content creator at shiksha.com. Having a master's degree in International Business, he is creating content across several domains including CUET, Medicine and Universities. Apart... Read Full Bio