Chennai: NEET-PG candidates from Tamil Nadu have once again raised concerns over being assigned examination centres in Andhra Pradesh for the upcoming test scheduled on August 3.

Despite repeated appeals, the National Board of Examinations in Medical Sciences (NBEMS) continues to allocate centres outside the state, aspirants said.

Dr M Manikandan, one of the candidates, said he has been allotted a centre in Narasaraopet, Andhra Pradesh, while some of his peers have been posted to Rajahmundry — nearly 600 km from Chennai. “This happens every year. We have to leave two days in advance, book travel and stay, and this adds unnecessary pressure on doctors already preparing for a competitive exam,” he said.

According to Dr G R Ravindranath, general secretary of the Doctors' Association for Social Equality (DASE), nearly 1,000 candidates from Tamil Nadu have been allotted centres outside the state. “With over 60,000 candidates applying from Tamil Nadu each year, and with sufficient government and private medical colleges available, the state should intervene and push for re-allotment,” he said.

He also pointed out the added difficulties for women candidates, who often require a companion for travel, increasing their financial and logistical burden.

Dr R Saran Kumar, another candidate, echoed similar concerns, stating that many of his friends too have been allotted centres in Narasaraopet.

NBEMS's tentative list of NEET-PG 2025 centres includes 24 locations across Tamil Nadu, such as Chennai, Coimbatore, Madurai, Krishnagiri, Karur, and Kancheepuram. This year, over 2.42 lakh candidates have registered for the exam.

In 2024, exam centres were reallocated following interventions by MPs, including Dindigul MP R Sachithanantham and Kerala MP Shashi Tharoor, who raised the issue with the Union Health Ministry. Many candidates who were earlier assigned centres in Andhra Pradesh were later allotted locations within Tamil Nadu.