As Kashmir air prices soar, demand for NMC exam centre grows shriller

Srinagar, Jan 04: The demand from aspirants to have a designated exam centre for National Medical Council (NMC) examination in the Kashmir is growing shriller amid the rising air prices and the inconveniences faced by the aspirants.

The Medical Council of India was replaced by NMC 2020 as the regulator of medical education and practice in India.

The aspirants have voiced their concern saying that the establishment of an examination centre in Kashmir was mandatory for all students who have pursued their medical education from foreign universities.

"Qualifying the NMC exam is essential for candidates to practice medicine in India and pursue further studies," said an aspirant.

The students said they were forced to travel outside the Valley to appear in the NMC examination.

"The centres have been allocated in Samba, Noida and Amritsar which leaves students with no choice but to incur high costs associated with airfare, accommodation, and other travel expenses," the students said.

Besides students, parents also expressed their concern over the financial burden put on them by the exam conducting body by excluding Kashmir in allotment of exam centres.

"Presently, Valley is grappling with rising unemployment and economic instability. The authorities should intervene into the matter and ensure that an exam centre is set up in Kashmir," the parent said.

The exam is scheduled on January 12 of 2025. "There is one exam centre in Samba for Jammu aspirants and another centre is in Amritsar. But no centre has been allotted to Kashmir," the students said.

The parents said the students should be given more affordable and accessible options for appearing in NMC exam.

“Travelling by air has become almost unaffordable for students to given the skyrocketing price of air tickets. Besides air fares, there are additional costs like hotel stays and food. It is an unnecessary burden for us," the parents said.

A top official in Health and Medical Education (H&ME) department told Greater Kashmir that the matter will be looked into.