‘Exempt state board students from taking all-India medical entrance test’

Demanding that state board students should be exempted from taking the national-level medical test, a parents’ association submitted a memorandum to the Union Health Minister, Ghulam Nabi Azad, on Sunday.

Demanding that state board students should be exempted from taking the national-level medical test, a parents’ association submitted a memorandum to the Union Health Minister, Ghulam Nabi Azad, on Sunday.

From 2012, the all-India common entrance test for undergraduate medical admissions will replace the state-level entrance examination. “Only 40% of the syllabus for the national test overlaps with the state board syllabus,” said Rajesh Jain, spokesperson, Parents’ Association of Medical Students (PAMS).

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According to the association, the state board has failed to modify the syllabus as per the National Curriculum Framework, released by the Medical Council of India (MCI) in 2005. In March 2011, the MCI had proposed that the common national entrance tests for admission to medical institutes across the country be conducted in a phased manner. “Though we welcome the move, rushing into would be unfair on students. The state board syllabus should first be modified in accordance with the syllabus prescribed for the test,” said Jain.

Also, the final syllabus announced by the MCI on November 4 includes lessons from Class 11 as well as Class 12. “The Class 12 board exams are three months away. To revise Class 11 syllabus, students need time. This will just add on to their pressure,” said Jain.

States such as Tamil Nadu and Andhra Pradesh have issued a stay on the applicability of the 2012 common national medical entrance test.

“We are seeking an appointment with the chief minister. If it does not work out, we will move the high court,” said Jain.