Debate In mid 70' it was realized that although MCI has laid down the standard for PG examinations conducted by various medical colleges affiliated to concerned universities and other institutions, yet the levels of proficiency and standards of evaluation vary considerably in these institutions. Hence the National Board of Examinations was established in 1975 with the prime objective of 1) Improving the quality of the Medical Education by elevating the level and establishing standards of post Graduate examinations in modern medicine on an all India basis. 2) To facilitate intra country & international comparison with commonly accepted evaluation mechanism. 35 years later, today the doubts are raised whether National Board has fulfilled their objectives? If we talk of Urology, there is lot of hue & cry about poor results, once in a year exams. Even entrance exam was conducted again so as to fill up the vacancies. Big question is “Is National Board functioning towards achieving the goal for which it was established & delivering as per expectations or it has completely deviated from it's path & needs total reformation.?” Dr. Shirish Yande - a senior teacher agreed to write in favor of reforms. However I could not get anyone to write in favor of NBE. So I myself have put the opposite view.
Dr. Shirish Yande The Legacy of the National Board of Central Entrance Test (which the DNB insists they wish Examinations to conduct) for admissions to superspeciality yielded a Government of India result of under 10%. This meant that only a few (perhaps only 10% of the usual number) may be allowed to take The National Board of Examinations interviews for entrance to postgraduate courses. This was founded to establish a central has resulted in 90% of PG education centers staying authority to conduct postgraduate vacant and without a candidate. When this caused a medical courses and examinations in nationwide outcry, the Board suddenly decided to hold India and happens to be a much the Entrance Test again. This time the method of respected body in the Medical Fraternity. negative marking was abolished. In effect, almost everybody passed the test and presented for the Now that the Medical Council of India is dissolved, the Interviews. However the results were combined for ALL role of National Board of Examinations has become superspecialities and hence there was a moment of even more responsible in our country. However, this confusion as to how to recruit the candidates. National central governing body is fast losing its popularity as Board of Examinations also advised the institutions to well as accountability in its functioning over the past take into account the marks of the Entrance Test of all few years. This is probably the result of an extreme candidates and then prepare a “Merit List”. This made degree bureaucratic management that we the 'Interviews” superfluous for all practical purposes. teachers and the students have come to experience in the recent times. Still the most important lacunae in the functioning of the National Board are poor communication and dubious A number of issues have come up in the last few years, accountability on the part of the staff, culminating in loss which have caused grave concern in our minds. of credibility and loss of precious time of students as well as of the teachers. In the face of rapidly growing 1.Superspeciality examinations are conducted only communications tools and networking all over the world, once a year, thus making the candidate wait for one full the poor track record of communications stands out year for a second opportunity to pass the test. even more vividly. 2.Results of theory papers take as long as four and a half months for declaration. This causes loss of I gather these aspects were discussed at length at a precious time the student might otherwise get for meeting of teachers with all the administrative staff of the preparation of the next attempt. NBE last week. They have reportedly promised to look 3.Communication: This is the matter of grave concern, into this matter and take corrective measures as early as since it becomes impossible to get any information out possible. In fact my experience with the officials of the by conventional methods of communication. They National Board of Examinations is that these promises seem to be in perpetual shortage of staff required to have been given several times in the past, but no establish a dependable communication link with the measurable improvement was ever seen on the concerned Institutions. communication front in the past four years. 4.Results are sometimes withheld for as long as six months, without a valid reason. This causes serious This method of its working has not only caused a loss of time and even opportunity to sit the subsequent significant suffering to the students but has also examination. undermined its own credibility as a responsible central body of Postgraduate medical examinations of our This year the National Board of Examinations has country. surpassed some old heights of dysfunction. The
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