The National Board of Education (NBE) may have to further postpone the National Eligibility Entrance Test (NEET) PG 2021 as the Indian government plans to put pass-outs from MBBS and nursing colleges on COVID-19 duty. Even, final-year MBBS students shall be incentivised and encouraged to join the COVID duty to deal with the overburdened healthcare systems in the country. Initially, the national-level postgraduate medical entrance test was scheduled for April 18, 2021. However, NBE issued a public notice on April 15, 2021, announcing the postponement of NEET PG 2021 to a later date due to the surge in COVID-19 cases.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi held a virtual meeting with experts yesterday, May 02, 2021, to understand the oxygen and medicine availability in the country. He further reviewed the availability of the human resource in the medical field and discussed ways to enhance it to deal with the ongoing second wave of coronavirus.
As per sources from the Indian Government, various steps were discussed to encourage final-year students and MBBS pass-outs as well as those from nursing colleges to join COVID duty. Further details regarding the subject are likely to release today, May 03, 2021. Furthermore, medical personnel joining COVID duty shall be provided with various incentives. These incentives include financial aid and priority in government recruitment. Authorities are also expected to announce the criteria to receive these financial incentives.
Apart from the shortage of health professionals, India is also facing a shortage of testing facilities. Earlier, the government had requested the Indian Army and the Indian Air Force to provide pandemic assistance and indulge in COVID-19 related responsibilities. Thereafter, the Indian Army had established temporary hospitals to boost the health infrastructure. Furthermore, army officers also began treating civilians.
While the decision to recruit pass-outs and students for COVID-duty is underway, NEET PG aspirants are awaiting clarification on the tentative dates for conducting the exam this year. Students have already been advised by authorities to visit the official website natboard.edu.in regularly for important announcements.
In other news, the Diplomate of National Board Post Diploma Centralised Entrance Test (DNB PDCET) 2021 was recently postponed due to the ongoing surge in COVID-19 cases in the country. NBE was scheduled to conduct the entrance test on May 09, 2021, across the country through the computer-based format. However, it issued a notice on April 30, 2021, announcing the postponement to ensure the health and welfare of aspirants.
All Indian Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS) also went onto postpone the Institute of National Importance Common Entrance Test (INI CET) 2021 which was previously scheduled on May 08, 2021. According to the authorities, the exam has been postponed to a later date and the revised schedule shall be announced in due course of time.
