NEET PG: medical students warned against touts

Ahead of the release of merit list for postgraduate medical admission, the National Board of Examination (NBE) has warned medical students not to fall into the trap laid by touts, who demand money in lieu of a better position on the merit list.

"We have received complaints that touts and agents are alluring and misleading candidates that they will help them in securing a good merit position or marks if money is paid to them. Candidates are cautioned not to be misled by any such false and bogus claims," said NBE, an autonomous body under the Health Ministry, in a statement.

The examination conducting agency filed a complaint with the cyber cell and crime branch of Delhi Police.

"It is clarified that the NBE does not make any phone calls to any candidate or issues any communication regarding the change of rank obtained in any of the exams conducted by the NBE or for anything that is against the provisions of law," said the statement.

The NBE conducted the National Eligibility cum Entrance Test-Post Graduation, 2018, on January 7 for admission to MD, MS and PG diploma courses. The test was conducted on a computer-based platform in 150 cities in a single session format.

The results were declared on January 23 for 1,28,917 candidates who had appeared in the PG entrance. The marks of each of the candidates were given in the result. But when it comes to tie-breaking, the NBE adopted a different formula this time. Tie-breaking of candidates with same marks and same number of correct responses shall be done on the basis of marks obtained in the MBBS exams.

This is unlike previous admission tests where only the date of birth was utilised as a tie-breaking criterion.

Due to several candidates making incorrect MBBS entries in online applications and also to ensure that tie-breaking is accurate, a one-time opportunity has been given to every candidate to make corrections in MBBS marks through the online portal. After correction, they should submit their scanned MBBS professional mark sheets as proof of the same for verification by the NBE.

Tie-breaking and generation of merit list shall be done after receiving these documents. It has been decided that the merit list shall be declared on February 15.

The NBE will also publish the number of questions attempted correctly and incorrectly by the candidates at the time of declaration of the merit list, said the statement.