17 Final Year Resident PG Doctors On COVID Duty Move Supreme Court Seeking Alternate Mode Of Assessment

The services of these postgraduate students as residents were continued to be utilized until fresh batches of postgraduate students join as per a recent notice of the National Medical Commission and the Prime Minister's announcement regarding the postponement of NEET-PG until August 31, 2021.

The petitioners state that depending on the nature of their duty, they remain engaged from 8-12 hours to 24 hours a day. Amidst the raging pandemic, they were shocked and surprised to note that Universities have abruptly announced the timetable for Final Year Examination without sufficient notice to even prepare for the examination, the petition states. The resident doctors also state that it is unjust and manifestly arbitrary to expect a doctor on duty to sit for a theory examination without reasonable notice. They seek the Apex Court's intervention to ensure the protection of their fundamental rights enshrined under Article 14 and Article 21 of the Constitution of India.

The Petitioners submitted that "the abrupt announcement of the examination schedule is unreasonable, arbitrary and a mindless exercise as it fails to take into consideration the hardship which will be caused to thousands of resident doctors."

"This will not only be a life threat to the patient which the doctor is attending but at the same time will also expose them to the deadly virus. It is more dangerous because they will have to come back from the examination and attend to the Covid patients, who are most vulnerable to any kind of exposure", the petition adds.

The Petitioners have clarified that they are not seeking cancellation or postponement of the final year examination but an alternative mode of assessment, including practical examination and assessment based on the internal assessment as a one-time exception in the prevailing circumstances.