The Delhi High Court has adjourned till June 11, 2021, a plea seeking the postponement of the Foreign Medical Graduate Examination (FMGE) which is scheduled to be conducted in mid-June.
The matter was being heard by the vacation bench of Justice Amit Bansal.
The instant Writ Petition has been filed on behalf of the Association of MD Physicians through its president Dr. Rajesh Rajan, demanding postponement of the Foreign Medical Graduate Examination, on account of the Covid situation prevailing in the country, stating that most of the students have not been vaccinated and many have elderly and Covid-19 patients at home.
The Association has suggested that it will be safe to conduct exam during August 2021 when there will be a drop in Covid cases and most of the people will get their first dose of the Covid vaccine.
Advocate Adit S pujari appearing for the petitioner Association submitted,
There are 46 Centres in India. When people move from one place to another, they have to come with a negative RT PCR report and they have to lodge themselves in the city. I have to come one day before the exam... I also have to come early and not be allowed to carry mobile phones and other valuables inside... so I have to bring somebody along with me to take care of my valuables
Advocate Pujari further submitted that their only concern is that exams to be postponed for about 4 to 6 weeks and in the meanwhile, the respondents may facilitate on allotting more Centres and provide facilities for the candidates to place their belongings in the exam Centre.
Advocate Pujari also stated that,
The respondents are saying I can take it in December but I have prepared for it. There are 16 examinations stand postponed or cancelled based on covid,
Responding to the petitioners plea, Advocate Kirtiman Singh appearing for the Centre stated that the petition was flawed since the president of the Association was not authorized to file a petition on behalf of the students.
He submitted that when the exam was conducted in August 2020, around 17,198 candidates appeared; while in December 2020, around 18,576 candidates appeared. Furthermore, it was submitted that 18,600 candidates have registered to take the exam in June 2021.
Singh also submitted that,
Moreover, this is a qualifying examination, unlike other examinations which are entrance examinations. If you dont want to take it right now you can take it in December,
After hearing the parties, the Court asked Advocate Kirtiman Singh to place on record a document where covid consideration has been taken for conducting the exams in mid-June.
The Court also asked the petitioner to place on record the resolution authorizing the association to file a petition on behalf of the 40 doctors.
The matter will be heard on June 11th, 2021.
