COVID Impact! Here's the reason why NEET PG 2024 is expected to be postponed to June-July

The National Eligibility-cum-Entrance Test-Postgraduate (NEET-PG) examination is expected to take place between the last week of June and the first week of July, with counselling anticipated for early August, according to sources. This timeline adjustment stems from the significant disruption caused by the COVID-19 situation. The key factor influencing the decision to delay the NEET PG 2024 is that the MBBS final year students will be completing their internship by June-July 2024, a source revealed this to ANI.

In 2023, the Health Ministry granted an extension for MBBS final year students in five states/UT to conclude their internships by August 2023. The internship delays have persisted over recent years due to the impact of COVID, with many hospitals across the country preoccupied with managing the pandemic. Consequently, the commencement of the internship period was postponed. Similarly, this year too the internships are expected to end by July 2024.

Sources also revealed earlier that the National Exit Test (NExT) will not be conducted this year. As per the recently introduced "Post-Graduate Medical Education Regulations, 2023," which have replaced the earlier regulations from 2018, the NEET-PG examination will persist until the proposed NExT becomes operational for PG admission purposes.

The National Eligibility cum Entrance Test for Postgraduate (NEET-PG) is a national-level entrance examination conducted in India. It is designed for medical graduates who wish to pursue postgraduate medical courses like MD (Doctor of Medicine), MS (Master of Surgery), PG Diploma courses, etc., in various government, private, and deemed medical institutions across the country.

NEET-PG is an essential requirement for candidates seeking admission to postgraduate medical courses in India. It is regulated by the National Board of Examinations (NBE) and serves as a single-window entrance test for these courses. The exam assesses the