Medical Exam Under Tight Security Following NEET Controversy

The Foreign Medical Graduate Examination (FMGE) 2024 is being conducted across India amidst heightened security measures following the recent NEET exam controversy. The Ministry of Health has assured the public that the exam is proceeding smoothly, with no reported incidents so far.

To ensure a fair and secure examination process, a dedicated command centre has been set up at the National Board of Examinations in Medical Sciences (NBEMS) headquarters in Delhi. This centre is closely monitoring the exam’s progress nationwide.

“We have successfully sent the exam content to all test centres, and the exam has commenced without any problems. Officers from the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) are also present at the NBEMS headquarters to oversee the situation. We are happy to report that no untoward incidents have occurred,” stated an official.

The FMGE exam is crucial for medical graduates aspiring to practice medicine in India. This year, the exam is being held in two shifts – 9 am to 11.30 am and 2 pm to 4.30 pm – across 71 centres in 50 cities and 21 states.

This heightened security follows the controversy surrounding the NEET-UG exam, where 67 students surprisingly achieved a perfect score. While the National Testing Agency (NTA) initially attributed this to grace marks awarded for a faulty question and logistical issues, a Bihar police investigation revealed a leak of the exam paper to a select group of students.

This revelation sparked nationwide protests and legal action, with the Supreme Court criticizing the NTA’s handling of the situation. The NEET-UG exam, taken by almost 24 lakh medical aspirants on May 5th, saw its results expedited and released on June 4th in an attempt to manage the situation. However, allegations of a widespread leak persisted.

Learning from the NEET situation, the government is taking extra precautions with the FMGE exam. 255 appraisers have been deployed across the 71 centres, with an additional 53 faculty members forming a mobile team to address any issues. The Directorate General of Health Services (DGHS) has also assigned 71 members to visit exam centres and ensure smooth operations.

The command centre at NBEMS headquarters in Dwarka is playing a crucial role in overseeing the exam. It is manned by members of the governing body, NBEMS officials, a 20-member technical team from TCS, and senior police officers.

Live CCTV feeds from each test centre are being monitored in real-time, and TCS ground teams are readily available to resolve any operational or logistical challenges that may arise. 35,819 candidates are scheduled to take the FMGE exam on Saturday, and the government is committed to ensuring a fair and transparent process.