‘Absence of exam centre made it difficult for us’
Irfan Tramboo
SRINAGAR, Sept 1: After the National Board of Examinations in Medical Sciences (NBEMS) denied the establishment of an exam centre for the NEET-SS 2023 examination in Srinagar, aspirants from Kashmir now face the challenge of cancelling their air tickets due to the postponement of the originally scheduled exam dates on September 9 and 10.
Previously, these aspirants had struggled and made efforts to secure an exam centre in Srinagar. However, their hopes were dashed to the ground after the authorities clearly stated that they would not be able to establish. The aspirants now find themselves in a difficult situation, which, apart from monetary losses, includes reapplying for leave from their concerned hospitals.
Despite submitting multiple representations and lodging grievances to secure an examination centre in Srinagar for the majority of Kashmiri aspirants, nearly 400 in number, the NBEMS explicitly stated that it would be unable to allocate an exam centre, citing security concerns. This disappointing decision had already left the aspirants disheartened.
“The issue of not establishing an examination centre was already present. Now, with the exam postponed, we are facing additional hassles, including cancelling tickets. Some had even applied for leave. Now, the entire process has to be repeated,” said a doctor who had chosen an exam centre in Delhi after the Jammu centre was filled.
In a notice issued by the NBEMS on Thursday, it was stated that due to the 18th G20 Summit scheduled to be held on September 9th and 10th, 2023, in India and subsequent travel restrictions, “which will be in place in Delhi from September 8th, 2023, to September 10th, 2023,” the NEET-SS 2023 examination, originally announced for September 9th and 10th, 2023, nationwide, has been postponed. The revised schedule for the conduct of NEET-SS 2023 across the country, as per the NBEMS, will be announced shortly.
It is worth noting that the NBE has established an exam centre for the said exam in Jammu. However, Kashmir, Centre has been neglected, leaving the aspirants who are working in various hospitals, with no choice but to travel to Delhi, facing financial and logistical issues.
The matter, after the aspirants submitted representations, was also taken up by the Health & Medical Education (H&ME) Department and the Resident Commissioner, J&K, with the NBEMS; however, the matter was only reverted with a categorical denial, further dashing the hopes of the aspirants.
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