Clouds over Medical degree recognition in West Bengal

The government of Bengal has refused to accept the pan-India Common Entrance Test (CET) which is a gateway to medical colleges. If the Bengal government refuses to conduct this exam, then it will increase the rate of risk and the future of all those students who will take admission in the MBBS course this year in state-run medical colleges.

Ashok Kumar Gupta, member of MCI's board of governors said that if any state refuses to accept CET; there might be a possibility that MCI will derecognize MBBS degrees. He added that center is still in discussions with CBSE, which is the regulating body of CET 2012. Apart from English and Hindi, center is requesting CBSE to prepare question papers in regional languages as well.

As per CBSE source, it is not left with enough time and it is impossible to prepare question papers in regional languages. Moreover, there is no device available that can translate instantly a question paper prepared in English into other languages.

CET can be delayed if the states appeal to Supreme Court. It was a Supreme Court order that had asked MCI to hold a common medical entrance across the country.

The MCI had already published the final syllabus which has been prepared in consultation with experts and advisors who have studied the syllabi of various boards across the country and then gave their valuable suggestions.

The syllabus which has been prepared by the CBSE follows the books of National Council for Educational Research and Training (NCERT) and the syllabus of West Bengal Higher Secondary Council (WBHSC) is entirely different.

If the state government accepts CET, then the students will have to study two different syllabi- one for CET and the other for appearing in higher secondary examinations. It will create a mess amongst students.

Source: Richha Bhatnagar (Shiksha Team)