NEET MDS 2024 Exam Date Postponed? Latest Updates and What We Know

The National Eligibility cum Entrance Test for Master in Dental Surgery (NEET MDS) 2024 exam date might be postponed to July, as per recent developments. The Ministry of Health and Family Welfare is currently reviewing a request submitted by the All India Student’s Union (AISU) to reschedule the exam. Here's what we know so far.

Recent Developments: The AISU filed a Right to Information (RTI) request on February 8, 2024, seeking information about the possible postponement of the NEET MDS 2024 exam. In response, the Ministry stated that the request is "Under Process," indicating ongoing deliberations regarding the matter.

Concerns Raised by AISU: AISU highlighted several critical issues in a letter addressed to the Prime Minister and the Ministry of Health. One concern is the feasibility of conducting the NEET MDS exam in March, given the concurrent counselling process with NEET PG and the expected completion of internships necessary for NEET PG admissions around August or September 2024.

Proposal for Schedule Alignment: AISU proposed aligning the NEET MDS exam with NEET PG, preferably in July, to ensure fairness and consistency for candidates applying to both exams. They referenced the synchronized schedule in 2020, where NEET MDS was held in December alongside the delayed NEET PG exam.

Impact of Current Schedule: The current March schedule poses challenges, including a long period of inactivity for dental students until the conclusion of their internships, potentially lasting 6-7 months. This break risks disrupting academic progress and wasting valuable time.

Call for Schedule Adjustment: Following the postponement of NEET PG 2024 to July by the National Board of Examinations (NBE), MDS aspirants have advocated for a similar adjustment for the NEET MDS exam to address the concerns raised by AISU and promote fairness.

Current Status and Information: As of now, the NEET MDS 2024 exam is scheduled for March 18, with admit cards set to release on March 13. The internship cut-off date for NEET MDS 2024 is March 31, 2024.