NEET & JEE Scheduled to be in September as said earlier | NTA announced safety measures

On Tuesday, the National Testing Agency(NTA) said the National Eligibility-cum-Entrance Test (NEET-UG) and the Joint Entrance Examination (JEE Main) will be conducted in September 2020 as scheduled earlier. Nothing to postpone these crucial entrance tests amid the COVID-19 pandemic situation. NTA also proposed safety measures to be followed.

NO Date change

Officials of Ministry of Educations asserted on conducting JEE MAIN and NEET on the same dates as scheduled earlier. The National Eligibility-cum-Entrance Test (NEET-UG) is scheduled for 13 September while the Joint Entrance Examination (JEE Main) is scheduled 1 – 6 September.

Many of the Aspirants and parents proposed to further postpone of JEE & NEET due to increasing number of COVID-19 cases. It become louder with each passing day. On sunday, More than 4000 students observing one day hunger strike to the press demanding postpone of Entrance examinations due to rise in number of corona virus cases.

Many of the opposition leaders raised voices demanding exams to be postponed. This includes Congress’ Rahul Gandhi, West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee, Odisha Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik, Delhi Deputy CM Sisodia, and DMK President Stalin.

The Supreme Court had dismissed a plea seeking postponement of JEE MAIN and NEET-UG amid COVID-19 pandemic situation, last week. The Supreme Court had said, “We find that there is absolutely no justification in the prayer made for postponement of the examination in question relating to NEET as well as JEE-Mains”.

NTA announced safety measures

A total of approx 10 lacs students had registered for JEE MAIN and 16 lacs for NEET-UG. NTA increasing examination centers, fewer candidates per room, alternate seating, measures at entry and exit point and more to be adopted while conducting medical and engineering entrance examinations.

“The number of examination centres have also been increased from 570 to 660 (for JEE Main) and 2,546 to 3843 (for NEET). While JEE-Mains is a computer-based test, NEET is a pen-paper test,” the NTA said.

“Additionally, in case of JEE-Mains, the number of shifts has been increased from the earlier 8 to 12, and the number of candidates per shift has been reduced from earlier 1.32 lakh to 85,000 now,” it said.

“Adequate arrangements have also been made outside the examination centres to enable candidates to stand with adequate social distancing while waiting. Candidates have also been issued advisory guiding them about ‘Dos and Don’ts’ for proper social distancing,” 

“In order to ensure proper social distancing inside the examination halls, the candidates will be seated in alternate seats in case of JEE-Mains. In the case of NEET, the number of candidates per room has been reduced from 24 to 12,” the NTA said.