Young doctors launch campaign against PG induction test

Young doctors launch campaign against PG induction test

The Young Doctors Federation has launched a strong campaign against the current postgraduate (PG) medical induction testing system, calling for an end to what it describes as unnecessary and repetitive examinations for doctors seeking admission to postgraduate training programmes.

Dr Hassan Baloch, Convener of the Young Doctors Federation, said the federation had begun a vigorous movement against the postgraduate induction test, drawing a parallel with its previous efforts that led to the elimination of the National Licensing Examination (NLE).

He said doctors already face multiple examinations during their medical education and professional careers, and forcing them to sit for several tests for the same postgraduate induction purpose creates an additional burden. He demanded a simpler and more transparent system based on merit.

Dr Baloch proposed two possible alternatives. The authorities should either use FCPS Part-I or the Joint Centralized Admission Test (JCAT) as the basis for postgraduate induction, or introduce a single national postgraduate entrance examination for doctors across the country.

He argued that conducting multiple examinations for the same objective wastes candidates’ time, increases financial pressure through repeated examination fees, and creates unnecessary complications for medical graduates competing for postgraduate training positions.

The Young Doctors Federation also called for a unified and transparent induction mechanism that ensures equal opportunities for all eligible doctors. Dr Baloch pointed to the Medical and Dental College Admission Test (MDCAT), which serves as a common entrance examination for undergraduate medical admissions, and India’s NEET-PG system as examples of centralized testing models.

He stressed that Pakistan should also adopt a single, transparent and merit-based mechanism for postgraduate medical induction instead of requiring doctors to navigate multiple examinations and selection processes.

The federation’s campaign seeks reforms in the postgraduate induction system and aims to push authorities toward a more streamlined process that reduces the burden on doctors while ensuring fair and merit-based admissions to postgraduate medical training.