This story is from September 17, 2021

Postpone Ayush PG entrance, say docs peeved by exam centre mess

Postpone Ayush PG entrance, say docs peeved by exam centre mess
Nagpur: More than 9,000 Ayush PG aspirants in Maharashtra are up in arms against the National Testing Agency (NTA) over the mess in allotment of exam venues for the Ayush Post Graduate Entrance Test (AIAPGET). Now, they are demanding that the NTA and the Ayush ministry postpone the examination scheduled on September 18.
Candidates from Maharashtra had been allotted examination centres mostly in Madhya Pradesh, Gujarat states and even in Jammu.
They were informed just four days prior to the exam.
After it was reported in media and an email campaign initiated by the candidates, the NTA hastily started process of changing the examination venues on late Wednesday night. But less than 20% of the candidates have received the updated admit cards with colleges in Maharashtra as their exam venues. More than 80% candidates are still holding admit cards with Ahmedabad, Bharuch, Bhopal and Vadodara as their centres.
TOI Nagpur was the first to report that not enough colleges were available in the state on September 18 due to the pre-scheduled MH-CET.
NTA, on Thursday, officially accepted this. “Dates of CET in Maharashtra are clashing with AIAPGET. Hence, NTA is facing difficulty in getting adequate test centres in spite of best efforts. Therefore, some candidates have been allotted centres beyond their choice,” reads the statement issued by Dr Sadhana Parashar, senior director (exams), NTA.
According to Dr Parashar, this clause is well mentioned in the NTA information booklet and “candidates have already accepted this while filling up the application”. However, this explanation has left thousands of candidates in a lurch.

“What if someone has already reached Gujarat and NTA changes his centre to Maharashtra a day before examination? Even the helpline number issued by the agency is not working,” said Dr Ganesh Kate.
A student, Vaidya Shubham Dhoot, called Ayush minister Sarbananda Sonowal who has reportedly assured to provide some relief. Sources at NTA told TOI that it’s very unlikely to postpone the examination as the issue is limited to Maharashtra state only while the examination is being held nationwide.
National Integrated Medical Association (NIMA) has resolved to support the students. “We will stress postponing the examination in larger interest of the candidates. Missing this exam due to faraway venue or due to change in centre will cost one full-year and many years of preparation for these doctors,” said Dr Atul Raut Patil from NIMA students’ forum.
IN HELPLESS STATE
- Not possible to manage 9,000-odd computers on Sept 18 in Maharashtra to conduct AIAPGET, says NTA
- It managed a few hundred computers on Wednesday night and changed exam venues of some candidates without any notice
- All other candidates were asked to reach centres in Gujarat, MP to appear in AIAPGET
- Instead of relief, this move created confusion among candidates as no one knows whose centre will be updated when
- Difficulties in reaching other states plus confusion about centres has made candidates helpless
- They have asked for postponement of AIAPGET
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About the Author
Chaitanya Deshpande

Chaitanya Deshpande is Principal Correspondent at The Times of India, Nagpur. He has a PG degree in English literature and Mass communication. Chaitanya covers public health, medical issues, medical education, research in the fields of medicine, microbiology, biotechnology. He also covers culture, fine arts, theatre, folk arts, literature, and life. Proficient in Marathi and Hindi along with English, Chaitanya loves music, theatre and literature of all three languages.

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