Medical Fraternity Challenges NMC's Pre-NEET Advisory

The National Medical Commission issued an advisory preventing leave for medical students before the NEET-UG 2026 exam, triggering backlash. The Federation of All India Medical Association condemned this directive as prejudiced, demanding its retraction. The advisory aimed to ensure exam integrity, but FAIMA criticized it as unjust and harmful to students' dignity.

The National Medical Commission (NMC) stirred controversy with an advisory instructing medical colleges not to grant leave to students on May 2 and 3, just before the NEET-UG 2026 examination. The decision ignited opposition from the medical community, including the Federation of All India Medical Association (FAIMA), which demanded the advisory's immediate withdrawal and an apology from the regulator.

In a notice dated April 23, the NMC mandated vigilance from all medical institutions to maintain the 'sanctity and integrity' of the examination. The advisory, compliant with the Department of Higher Education's guidelines, also urged institutions to discourage any student activities that could jeopardize the exam's fairness. FAIMA rebuked the directive as 'insensitive' and 'demeaning' towards medical students, who they argue are unfairly stereotyped as potential wrongdoers.

FAIMA criticized the NMC's blanket restrictions as setting a dangerous precedent, claiming they undermine students' integrity. The association asserted that ensuring exam integrity is an administrative duty, not one imposed on students. The group united in rejecting measures that question their professionalism and urged NMC to avoid issuing similar directives in the future.