Medical college written test ‘violates’ rules

Delhi’s Safdarjung Hospital & Vardhaman Mahavir Medical College administration has seemingly flouted admission rules for super-specialty medicine Diplomate of National Board (DNB), which is equivalent to a master’s degree in medicine or surgery.

Delhi’s Safdarjung Hospital & Vardhaman Mahavir Medical College administration has seemingly flouted admission rules for super-specialty medicine Diplomate of National Board (DNB), which is equivalent to a master’s degree in medicine or surgery.

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This year, 300 students applied for 21 DNB seats (includes 10 reserved category seats) awarded by the National Board of Examination (NBE).

Instead of interviewing students as required by NBE rules, the hospital administration held a written exam on Thursday.

“This decision to mandate a written exam before the interview is in complete aberration of the NBE rules, which clearly say a written exam is not allowed,” a senior faculty member, unwilling to be named as he is unauthorised to speak to the media, said.

“The Medical Superintendent is making his own admission rules. There should be an inquiry,” said another professor, who refused to be named.

“The students have to qualify a written DNB combined test before applying to colleges for DNB seats. An interview is enough to ascertain the calibre of the student. There is no need to put a student through a written test again.”

Justifying the decision, Jagdish Prasad, medical superintendent, Safdarjung Hospital, said, “It’s not possible to interview so many people. We are following the admission process adopted by Maulana Azad Medical College.”

“We shall look into the matter and ensure no unfair means have been adopted in the allocation of seats,” said Dinesh Chand, assistant director, NBE.

“The hospital has to submit details pertaining to admission to us at the time of candidate registration. We will make all necessary inquiry at that time.”

HT spoke to a few aspirants who said they could do little.

“What can one do really? Everyone is sitting for it (the written exam),” said Pooja Verma (name changed).

Another student Rahul Bhatnagar (name changed to protect identity) said, “I know it is wrong, but may be Safdarjung has its own rules of admission.”

Clause (d) of the standard procedure for selection of DNB candidates' states: “The concerned institute shall not hold any kind of written examinations for assessment of aptitude of candidates.”

“We were not consulted about the change in admission process,” said a faculty member, although Dr Prasad denies this charge.