WE THE PEOPLE
Proposed National Level Medical Entrance Test Sets-up Shock Waves, Evokes Positive Official Reaction
Hence People urge Govt., to stick to its Commitment made on the Floor of Legislative Assembly
By: MNS/ Makhdoomi
Srinagar: In our first Part on the issue of the proposed changes in Entrance Mechanism for MBBS, we have stated that All-India standardized test was revolutionary in its concept as its primary aim was to enable equitable availability of Medical Education to all regions of the country and to foster inter-regional exchange. Till recently an additional uniqueness was that it was one of the few all India Competitive Examinations (along with the examinations for Defence Services) that was completely merit based and without any reservations. But in 2006, the Human Resources Ministry approved reservation for SC, ST and OBC and that has been undertaken in AIPMT.
It consists of exam at two levels. First is the Preliminary conducted usually on 1st Sunday of the month of April. The second is Mains conducted in the month of May. It is the most awaited and respected exam of the Pre-Medical exams. AIPMT is equivalent to All India Engineering Entrance Examination (AIEEE), which is also conducted by CBSE for Entrance to Engineering Colleges in India. In 2009 the Preliminary Examination was conducted on 5 April 2009 and the final (Mains) was conducted on 10 May.
However, the talk of adopting such “entrance mechanism” for MBBS in our State is drawing sharp criticism on account of poor syllabi and turmoil like conditions which can deprive the students of the State, especially Kashmir from competing at a national level.
The State government on Saturday March, 26th 2011, announced that new all-India level entrance-cum-eligibility test for MBBS won’t be applicable in Jammu and Kashmir. Speaking in Legislative Assembly, Minister for Rural Development, Ali Mohammad Sagar said that the government has already clarified that the CET would not be applicable to the State.
It is worth mentioning out here that the opposition PDP President had demanded the National Level Test for MBBS should not be applicable in the State where NCERT pattern is followed. “In rest of the country, it is the CBSE syllabus in vogue. This difference will jeopardize the interests of those students of the state who aspire for MBBS and minimize their chances to make it to the prestigious medical entrance test,” she said in the House.
General masses and professionals are happy over the development.” The decision of the government to stick to the original format for the medical entrance is quite heartening development. The disturbing developments related to the news of any proposed changes in the medical entrance format had given sleepless nights to many students. We the student community of Kashmir Valley welcome this development", said Asif Ahmad, a medical entrance aspirant said while talking to this correspondent.
Dr. Maqbool Ahmad, a senior Psychiatrist of the Kashmir valley said, "The students of Kashmir valley have taken a great sigh of relief after hearing about the positive development related to the decision taken by government with reference to no change in the medical entrance format. However, the talk of adopting such “entrance mechanism” for MBBS in our state on national level patter was drawing wider criticism on account of poor syllabi and turmoil like conditions which can deprive the students of the state, especially Kashmir from competing at a national level .It needs to be mentioned here that tension and stress had greatly increased among the student community after hearing about the news of medical entrance being conducted on the basis of national level test. But now with the positive decision of the government, the issue seems to have ended,”
The various dimensions related to the much hyped “Medical Entrance” issue clearly suggest that for the time being the issue has been settled amicably. But, the authorities need to stick to their firm decisions so that the students of the state are not subjected to any stress or tense situation in future owing to this crucial career issue.(Concluded)
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