SRINAGAR — Jammu and Kashmir’s Minister for Health & Medical Education, Sakeena Itoo, has formally approached the Union Minister of Health and Family Welfare, Jagat Prakash Nadda, seeking immediate intervention regarding the grievances of Foreign Medical Graduate Examination (FMGE) candidates.
In an official letter dated July 14, 2026 (D.O No: PS/HM/2026/S/25), Minister Itoo highlighted the severe difficulties faced by medical graduates—particularly those hailing from Jammu and Kashmir who appeared for the screening test held in June 2026.
Key Grievances Raised by Students
According to the representation forwarded by the J&K Minister, the aspirants faced a double whammy of sudden academic changes and poor infrastructure during the high-stakes evaluation:
Unannounced Exam Pattern Alterations: The students alleged that a completely new examination pattern was introduced by the authorities without any prior notice or briefing, leaving candidates blindsided.
Abysmal Exam Center Conditions: The letter describes grueling physical environments at the examination halls.
Candidates were reportedly forced to write their exams under harsh summer conditions with no air conditioning, no functioning fans, inadequate ventilation, and a complete absence of drinking water facilities.
Demand for Passing Mark Relaxation
Given the extreme circumstances under which the test was administered, Minister Itoo has requested the Central Government to consider student welfare on humanitarian grounds.
”The students have represented that a mechanism for evaluation of their results may kindly be initiated and they should be given special relaxation in passing percentage in light of the circumstances they have gone through during examination held in June 2026,” the Minister stated in her communication.
She concluded the letter by urging Union Health Minister JP Nadda to look into the matter urgently so that the grievances of these future medical professionals are redressed at the earliest.
