Education News This Week: NTA calendar released, NEET PG 2023 reduced cut-off, Indian government’s advisory to students in Canada and more

The National Eligibility cum Entrance Test (NEET) UG 2024 will be conducted on May 5, 2024. It will be held in pen and paper mode. Meanwhile, the Common University Entrance Test (CUET) UG will be conducted from May 15 to 31, 2024 and CUET PG will be held between March 11 and 28, 2024. UGC NET session 1 has been scheduled to be conducted from June 10 to 21, 2024.

NEET PG 2023 cut-off reduced to zero

On September 20, the National Medical Commission issued a notice stating that the qualifying percentile for NEET PG 2023 has been reduced to zero across all categories. It means all candidates who appeared for the NEET PG 2023 exam are now eligible to participate in the postgraduate medical counselling process.

“Approval of competent authority is hereby conveyed for reduction of qualifying percentile for NEET PG 2023 to ‘Zero’ across all categories,” it read.

In order to make this possible, the Medical Counselling Committee (MCC) has decided to issue dates for fresh registration and choice filling for round 3 for those who have now become eligible for counselling. The new schedule will be soon put up on the website.

NMC gets WFME Recognition Status

The NMC has also been awarded the World Federation for Medical Education (WFME) Recognition Status for 10 years. It is the highest standard in medical education and accreditation. The WFME Recognition Status will enable Indian medical graduates to practice or pursue postgraduation in countries including the USA, Canada, Australia and New Zealand.

Karnataka Education Reforms

Continuing with making changes in the education system, the Karnataka government has issued an order to conduct annual exams for students of classes 5, 8, 9 and 11 (first PUC) for the 2023-24 academic year. Students of classes 10 and 12 will have to appear for boards. The annual exams for the students of Class 5, 8, 9 and first PUC will however be applicable only to schools and colleges with state board syllabus.

The state government also allowed the Karnataka State Examination and Assessment Board (KSEAB) to conduct a total of three annual exams for classes 10 (SSLC) and 12 (second PUC), which will be effective from 2023-24 academic year. With this the school education department of Karnataka will be doing away with the concept of supplementary examination for SSLC and second PUC. The objective of this reform is to destress students and improve their overall performance.

India-Canada diplomatic row: India issues advisory

Advisory for Indian Nationals and Indian Students in Canada:https://t.co/zboZDH83iw pic.twitter.com/7YjzKbZBIK

— Randhir Jaiswal (@MEAIndia) September 20, 2023

Amid the India-Canada diplomatic row, the Indian government has issued an advisory for Indian nationals and students in Canada urging them to exercise utmost caution and avoid travelling to regions and remain vigilant. The MEA has asked them to register with the High Commission of India in Ottawa or the Consulates General of India in Toronto and Vancouver through their respective websites or the MADAD portal— madad.gov.in.