NEET PG Exam Date Must Be Announced Before Six Months of Entrance Test: UDF President

In an exclusive interview with Shiksha.com, Dr. Lakshya Mittal, the National President of the United Doctors Front (UDF), offered invaluable insights into the abiding NEET PG controversy, the challenges faced by medical students across India, the combative NEET UG issue, and the evolving landscape of medical education in the country. During the conversation, he also sheds light on other critical matters concerning medicos that urgently require attention. Read the key excerpts from the interview below...

Q. What are the major challenges faced by students appearing for NEET UG? Do you think NEET UG 2025 in pen and paper mode is the right choice?

Dr Mittal: NEET UG aspirants face several challenges, including intense competition, a vast syllabus, and limited access to quality coaching, especially in rural areas. While the pen-and-paper mode ensures accessibility, the biggest concern remains the integrity of the examination process. Strict security measures must be implemented to prevent paper leaks and malpractices, ensuring a fair examination for all aspirants.

Q. What changes would you suggest for NEET UG reform concerning the exam pattern or additional criteria?

Dr Mittal: NEET UG should continue as a single-stage examination, ensuring transparency and efficiency. The primary focus should be on making the examination foolproof —eliminating paper leaks and strengthening security protocols. The entire process, from question paper setting to evaluation, should be monitored with strict vigilance to maintain credibility and fairness. 

Q. NEET PG has been a topic of discussion regarding the stress it places on aspiring postgraduate doctors. What changes do you feel are necessary to improve the experience for these students?

Dr Mittal: The unpredictability surrounding NEET PG adds immense stress to aspirants. A fixed timeline should be established at least six months before the examination date, allowing students to prepare accordingly. The National Medical Commission must ensure clarity regarding the exam format and avoid last-minute changes that disrupt preparation.

Q. How do you think the postponements and delays in NEET PG have affected the mental health and career progression of medical students?

Dr Mittal: Frequent postponements and last-minute changes severely impact students’ mental health. In NEET PG 2024, aspirants faced multiple shocks, including a last-minute postponement just a day before the exam and an unexpected change in the exam structure with multiple shifts. Such uncertainties cause unnecessary stress and burnout. A well-defined timeline with no abrupt modifications is essential to ensure fairness and stability.

Q. Is there sufficient availability of postgraduate seats in India to meet the demand for specialized doctors? What steps should be taken to address any gaps?

Dr Mittal: We acknowledge that India faces a shortage of postgraduate medical seats compared to the number of aspirants and MBBS graduates. However, before increasing the number of PG seats, the government must first focus on improving the conditions and infrastructure of existing medical colleges. Many institutions lack adequate faculty, resources, and facilities, which directly impact the quality of medical education. Strengthening the current system should be the priority before expanding the number of seats.

Q. How do you view the issue of doctor-patient violence in India? What measures should be taken to ensure the safety and well-being of healthcare professionals?

Dr Mittal: Doctor-patient violence is a severe issue, and India is among the few countries where such incidents are alarmingly frequent. UDF has been advocating for a Central Healthcare Protection Act to ensure legal safeguards for doctors and healthcare professionals. Additionally, there is an urgent need for:

• Better hospital security with well-trained personnel.
• Strict legal action against perpetrators with immediate penalties.
• Public awareness campaigns to educate people about the challenges doctors face.
• A national ‘blacklist directory’ of violent patients, allowing doctors to be aware of their history before treatment.
• The right for doctors to refuse treatment to violent patients unless it is an emergency.
• Ensuring a safe working environment for doctors is crucial for the well-being of both healthcare professionals and patients.

Q. Doctors often face burnout due to long working hours and insufficient resources. What support systems do you think are necessary to address this issue?

Dr Mittal:: Long working hours, inadequate staffing, and lack of resources contribute to severe burnout among doctors. Hospitals must ensure a weekly off, proper workforce distribution, reasonable duty hours, and well-being programs, including mental health support and peer counselling services.

A structured system to monitor workload and provide periodic breaks is essential for maintaining doctors’ efficiency and mental health.

Q. Are there any initiatives by the UDF that aim to bring about policy changes regarding medical education, doctor safety, or work-life balance for healthcare professionals?

Dr Mittal: Yes, UDF has been taking significant initiatives to bring about policy changes in medical education, doctor safety, and work-life balance. As part of our long-term efforts, we have actively intervened in the Hon’ble Supreme Court’s suo moto case and also intervened in the High Court of various States, cases concerning medical education and reforms.

 Additionally, we have been conducting free counselling sessions for NEET-UG and NEET-PG aspirants and online mental health sessions to support students facing stress and anxiety. UDF has also been addressing issues at the ground level, resolving multiple cases related to doctor safety and medical education reforms.

One of our long-standing demands has been bond-free medical education, which we have actively advocated for on various platforms, including writing to the Prime Minister’s Office (PMO) regarding this matter. We will continue working towards these essential reforms for the medical fraternity.

Q. Is the time-bound section in NEET PG favourable for aspirants?

Dr Mittal: While time constraints are necessary for competitive exams, the current rigid structure may disadvantage students with strong conceptual knowledge but slower recall. A balanced approach, possibly with flexibility in section-wise timing, could ensure a fairer evaluation process.

Q. What is your perspective about the NExT (National Exit Test) exam?

Dr Mittal: The NExT exam aims to standardize medical education, but its execution needs careful planning. The government should involve students, faculty, and medical associations in the decision-making process. A clear and stable framework must be established to avoid confusion and undue stress among students.

Read more:

• NEET UG 2024 Issue Could Have Been Stopped if Exam was Online: FORDA President Aviral Mathur
• NEET PG Controversy Highlights Incompetency of NBE, Health Ministry: FAIMA President
• NEET UG Must Be Held in CBT Mode: FAIMA VP Sandeep Dagar
• NEET UG Should Have Age Restriction: FAIMA Chairman