RELIEF to Doctors: PGI Chandigarh Abolishes Practical Interviews for DM, Mch Entrance

Chandigarh: Nipping in the bid the growing allegations of Favoritism and nepotism in the selection process of its Super Speciality courses; the premier, Post Graduate Institute of Medical Education and Research, Chandigarh (PGIMER) has announced the abolishment of the clinical/practical evaluation for entrance examinations of Super-Specialty (SS) medical courses (DM, MCh).

The abolishment comes following the approval from the President of the Institute and Union Minister of Health and Family Welfare.

The recently issued office order dated 2^nd January 2019, signed by Registrar at PGI Chandigarh, clearly states,

“In pursuance of approval of the president of the Institute and Union Minister of Health and Family Welfare, Govt. of India vide UO No. A99124/1TRG/2018/1016-PGI MER, Chandigarh dated December 29^th, 2018, the Clinical/Practical evaluation/ component of DM/MCh entrance examinations being conducted at the institute is hereby ABOLISHED with immediate effect.”

The medical college administration decided to take this measure in a bid to fight the growing allegations of corruption and nepotism allegedly sticking with the practical evaluation.

In the past, severe allegations of favouritism and nepotism during entrance examinations had encircled many prestigious medical institutions and now with the onset of National Eligibility cum Entrance Test for Super Specialty courses, NEET SS, the examination process has become transparent. However, the allegations of preferential treatments were still embroiling in PGI Chandigarh, as it has its own selection process and does not fall under the ambit of NEET SS

PGIMER has 166 DM seats and 81 MCh seats. The procedure for selections includes a written test (80 marks) followed by an interview (20 marks).

It had been alleged that the PGI students who had scored less in the written test were given high marks in the interviews and outsider students, who scored well in the theory part were given much low marks in the interviews. Many such allegations were submitted to the PGI ’s authorities.

Taking strict cognizance of the issue, the PGIMER management decided to scrap the interviews in DM/MCh entrance examinations to ensure transparency in the selection process.

From now on, only the written test of 80 marks will be conducted for DM/MCh entrance at PGI Chandigarh.

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