Srinagar, July 29: Kashmiri students preparing to appear for the National Eligibility cum Entrance Test for Super Specialty (NEET-SS) are facing immense distress as the National Board of Examination (NBA) has not established any exam centers within the Valley.
The NEET-SS exam is scheduled for September 9-10, 2023, leaving the students grappling with the burden of traveling to other states or Jammu to take the crucial examination. Admit cards are expected to be issued on September 4.
“The absence of exam centers within the Valley has caused significant inconvenience for students, who are compelled to bear the financial strain of flight tickets and hotel accommodations,” said Shehla, one of the aspirants.
The increasing travel costs, combined with the uncertainty caused by frequent closures of the Jammu-Srinagar national highway due to inclement weather, further worsen the challenging situation.
“This is not the first instance where the exam conducting body has overlooked the needs of Valley students. Each time a national-level competitive exam is held, aspirants from the region suffer mental agony and hardship due to the lack of accessible exam centers,” another aspirant expressed to Greater Kashmir.
The aspirants are frustrated and urgently call for action, urging the Jammu and Kashmir administration to intervene and address the issue with the concerned authorities. They demand equal opportunities for Valley students to pursue their dreams in the medical field.
“The absence of exam centers within the Valley not only hinders the aspirants’ academic pursuits but also raises questions about the inclusivity and fairness of such national-level examinations,” the aspirant highlighted.
The students hope that the J&K administration led by LG Manoj Sinha will intervene and ensure that sufficient exam centers are set up within the Valley for NEET-SS. With the exam date drawing closer, they stress the need for prompt action to allocate exam centers to them locally.
Advisor to J&K Lieutenant Governor (LG) Rajeev Rai Bhatnagar informed that the matter has been taken up with the Principal Secretary Health and Medical Education (H&ME) department. Efforts will be made to secure an exam center in the Valley.
“He (Principal Secretary) will take up the matter with concerned authorities, and we will try our best to get a center allotted here,” Bhatnagar assured Greater Kashmir.