Normalization Process Sparks Controversy, Legal Challenges
New Delhi: Raising concerns over the fairness of the NEET-PG 2024 examination, health activist Dr. Vivek Pandey has urged the National Board of Examinations in Medical Sciences (NBEMS) to reconsider its decision to conduct the exam in multiple shifts.
In a letter to the Executive Director of NBEMS, Dr. Pandey highlighted concerns regarding the normalization formula and the legal challenges surrounding its use. He emphasized that conducting the exam in a single shift would ensure fairness and transparency.
Call for a Single-Shift Examination
Dr. Pandey stated, “In light of the issues observed during the NEET-PG 2024 examination, I earnestly request the NBE to discontinue the practice of conducting the NEET-PG exam in multiple shifts. Adopting a single-shift model will promote fairness, transparency, and trust in the medical education assessment process.”
He also urged the National Medical Commission (NMC) to intervene and guide the NBE in implementing the change.
Normalization Process Under Scrutiny
The NEET-PG 2024 exam, held on August 11, 2024, deviated from its usual format by being conducted in two shifts due to logistical constraints, including a reduction in the number of exam centers from 1,200 to 500. To address possible variations in difficulty levels, NBE adopted a normalization process similar to that used for AIIMS’ INI-CET.
This process involved:
- Calculation of raw scores based on individual performance
- Conversion to percentile scores up to seven decimal places
- Creation of a combined merit list, with tie-breaking criteria applied
Despite this, many candidates questioned the fairness of normalization, particularly those who appeared in Shift 2, arguing that their paper was tougher than Shift 1. Some even took legal action, with petitions reaching the Supreme Court, alleging lack of transparency in score calculation.
Advantages of a Single-Shift Exam
Dr. Pandey argued that a single-shift examination would:
✅ Ensure all candidates answer the same set of questions under identical conditions
✅ Eliminate the need for normalization, reducing legal disputes
✅ Enhance trust in the evaluation system and acceptance of results
Growing Concerns Among Aspirants
Following the announcement of NEET-PG 2024 results on August 24, 2024, some candidates from Shift 2 claimed they were disadvantaged by the normalization method. Many alleged that NBE’s process lacked transparency, with some even calling it a scam.
Given the backlash and legal challenges, Dr. Pandey has strongly urged NBE to discontinue multiple shifts for future NEET-PG exams and revert to a single-shift format for a more equitable evaluation process.
