Conduct MD, MS examination in December 2020, Maharashtra CM Thackeray writes to PM Modi
Mumbai, June 24, 2020: Chief Minister Uddhav Thackeray has written to the Prime Minister Narendra Modi requesting intervention to direct the Medical Council of India (MCI) to postpone the MD/MS examination till December 2020 as the final year resident doctors are playing a crucial role in fighting this pandemic.
He has also requested a further postponement of the Entrance Examination of Super-speciality (DM/MCh) to a date subsequent to December 2020 i.e after the conclusion of MD/MS exams. Till the Medical Council of India decides as an apex body, our students would lose out academically. The State is awaiting a decision from the Prime Minister.
In the letter dated June 18, CM Thackeray stated, “Respected Prime Minister I would like to draw your attention to the medical postgraduate examination (Final Year MD/MS) for the academic year 2020-21. This examination in Maharashtra is conducted in the month of May/June by the Maharashtra University of Health Sciences, Nashik. In view of the COVID-19 pandemic, these examinations have been postponed. The Medical Postgraduate examinations (MD/MS) are now being scheduled for the summer term of 2020, and the Board of Governors of the Medical Council of India (MCI BOG) has issued an advisory to all universities to complete these examinations by 30th June 2020.
Pursuant to the above advisory, Maharashtra University of Health Sciences, Nashik, has proposed to the Government of Maharashtra that these exams should be conducted from 15th July 2020 onwards. The final year (senior resident-3) resident doctors who are required to take these examinations are presently working on the frontline in all Government of Maharashtra and Municipal Medical Colleges assisting the clinical management of COVID-19 patients. In the event, these exams are held as per schedule. them would be a serious shortage of trained doctors during this very crucial period.
I would thus request your intervention to direct the Medical Council of India to postpone the MD/MS examination till December 2020. So also I would request the postponement of the Entrance Examination of Super-speciality (DM/MCh) to a date subsequent to December 2020 i.e. after the conclusion of final year MD/MS exams.”
This has put thousands of final year MD/MS students in a quandary. They are in a fix. Many students are demanding that they should declare final result based on internal marks and then retain for the work. “Please sir cancel all medical exams in Maharashtra as the condition is worst in Maharashtra. Pass us on the basis of internal assignments marking system. We all students are in ‘Depression’ in Maharashtra”, tweeted Sujata Mourya.
Demanding cancellation of the exams, Srinayan Katari tweeted, “When the final years are doing such an exemplary job for the state, shouldn’t you be actually asking for an exemption this year because they have already proven their worth. What else do you need as a test for competency than working in a pandemic??”
“Postponing PG exams is absolutely unacceptable. Its a waste of year for us. Why dnt anybody understand that we cannot continue our education, but need to start earning. 3 and 1/2 yr for our batch and 2 and 1/ 2 yr for new batch!! NOT FAIR SIR!”, another person replied to CM’s tweet about the letter.
“Mid-semester exam with 50% syllabus already done then What is the meaning of taking final year Medical exams in #MUHS University with 100% syllabus done in prefinal exam?Just for 10% syllabus you are risking student life. Sir, please take a decision for students of #muhs UG medical professional without pushing the decision on apex bodies. It’s already late and we have to start our higher education and jobs.Can’t wait now”, tweeted Apeksha Patil Thorat.
