Author: Dr. Sindhu and Dr. Rohini

Back in the day, if you wanted to ge into PG after MBBS, all you had to do is walk in, and tell them which department you want to specialise in, and you were in! Simple! This have changed quite a bit since, making getting into PG very difficult, a nightmare for many, and even resulting in a high number of suicides. Cracking the NEET exam is one component, the other is the lack of sufficient number of PG seats, compared to that of the MBBS seats. Excelling in the NEET PG Exam in this generation is the dream of each graduate. Be that as it may, the dream works out as expected uniquely for a couple of them. Indeed, it is hard to crack the NEET PG in the first attempt, yet it’s certainly possible on the off chance that you don’t limit yourself to specific techniques or tips for the planning of the test.

What is NEET PG?

NEET PG is the National Eligibility cum Entrance Test for undergraduates to meet all requirements for the different postgraduate projects Doctor of Medicine (MD), Master of Surgery (MS), and recognition courses in both government and private schools in India. The National Board of Examinations leads this test while the Directorate General of Health Services directs the guiding and seat designation. 

MBBS degree or temporary MBBS pass authentication, MBBS enlistment endorsement, and one year of entry level position are an unquestionable requirement for applying for NEET PG. On the off chance that the student is an Indian resident yet an alum from an unfamiliar clinical school, then, at that point meeting all requirements for the Foreign Medical Graduate Examination is compulsory. 

NEET PG is a PC based test that comprises 300 questions and is being directed in 162 test places across India. The inquiry paper is separated into 3 sections A, B, and C with each part containing 50, 100, and 150 questions individually.

Difference in the number of Undergraduate Vs. PG Medical Seats:

The problematic ratio between the UG and PG seats have resulted in the difficulty of getting into PG.

According to the Health Minister of India there are a total of 42,182 PG Medical, 9795 DNB, FNB, 2432 CPS seats in 2020-21 academic year.

Total of 42,182 PG medical seats are available at present, with a 32.7 percent increase from the total number of seats in the 2018-19 academic year. Additionally, there are 9795 DNB/FNB seats and 2432 CPS Diploma seats available in the country. The number of PG has significantly increased from the last two years having only 28,387 seats in 2018-19. But, the real question is whether this number is enough?

Currently in India the total number of medical undergraduates are about 84,649. Thus, the seats available for medical PG is almost half the number of UG pass outs, making it all the more distressing for the students to compete and secure a PG seat to pursue his/her dream of becoming a medical professional.

This problematic ratio is a huge concern for the students and for their parents as well. Union Minister of State for Health and Family Welfare  Ashwini Kumar Choube recently provided the details about the total number of MBBS seats in medical colleges across country for the academic year 2020-21. He said the country has a total of 562 Medical Colleges currently including 286 government and 276 private institutes. Citing the data source of National Medical Commission, the Apex Medical Regulator, the Health Minister said there are 84,649 MBBS seats in 562 Medical Colleges in the country at the moment.

The clearly difficult ratio has put the undergraduates in a lot of pressure in order to crack NEET PG and help them secure a seat with less fee to pay. Due to financial incapability and the immense competition to clarify through the NEET PG entrance exam with only such less seats available have made many drop their dream of pursing PG and just take up a job and go on ahead with their lives. 

Why is getting into PG considered so important?

Parents and students are extremely concerned about getting into PG and make tremendous sacrifices for the same. This is mainly because there is typically no role for a GP in india, unlike the UK or the European Union. – this is however another topic altogether which we will discuss soon.