CBSE PMT set for debut in Manipur
Source: The Sangai Express

Imphal, February 15, 2013: All India Pre Medical Test (AIPMT) conducted by Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE) would be introduced in the State from this academic year for selection of State nominees for undergoing MBBS and BDS courses.

The State Government has already intimated to the CBSE that selection of MBBS/BDS candidates would be done through AIPMT, informed an official of the State's Health Directorate.

With the State Government opting for AIPMT, the Health Directorate would not come to the picture as far as selection of MBBS/BDS candidates is concerned.

CBSE would make all arrangements such as office for issuing and submission of application forms, examination centres etc.

AIPMT conducted by CBSE is commendable.

Still there is a need to give some space to the Health Directorate so as to neutralise all push and pull factors, some experts commented to The Sangai Express.

Even if the questions are set by CBSE, it is advisable to utilize the service of experienced Health Directorate officials in procuring question papers, arrangement of exam centres etc.

The number of candidates from Manipur who got qualified in the NEET conducted by CBSE last year was quite high.

This phenomenal success rate was not without any reason.

CBSE PMT set for debut in Manipur

Usually question papers for entrance exams conducted by CBSE earlier were sent to State Bank of India and examination centres were given at schools affiliated to CBSE.

Given these facts, it is questionable how clean and fair were the entrance examinations conducted by CBSE in schools affiliated to CBSE, observed the experts.

Most of the schools located in Manipur but affiliated to CBSE have been functioning as if there is no authority to which they should be accountable, they added.

Examination centres for NEET held last year were allotted in science colleges and science teachers were given the duty of invigilators.

This arrangement gave ample room for science teachers to disclose answer keys to the candidates.

If CBSE conducted AIPMT should be introduced in the State and if the same examination should be made a trial of high quality, service of Health Directorate experts should be roped in.

Some Health Directorate officials may be sent to CBSE to bring the question papers.

From the airport, the question papers should be brought to a police station.

The question papers then should be kept in the police station under double lock.

One key should be kept with police and the other should be under the custody of the Health Directorate.

The question papers should be retrieved only in the presence of all relevant officials.

Allotment of exam centres should be done in consultation with Health Directorate officials and art colleges should be given priority, further suggested the experts.

If the arts colleges could not accommodate all the candidates, some centres may be given in science colleges.

But science teachers should never be given the duty of invigilators.

Saying that MBBS/BDS entrance examinations conducted by the Health Directorate were done quite meticulously and scrupulously, the experts opined that it would not be correct to entrust the whole responsibility of conducting the entrance test to CBSE alone.