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- Published: August 26, 2020 15:59
New Delhi: Even as the controversy rages over conduct of Joint Entrance Exam (JEE) and National Eligibility cum Entrance Test (NEET) exams amid the Coronavirus pandemic, the National Testing Agency (NTA) has reiterated that the competitive exams will be held on the scheduled dates as announced earlier.
The National Testing Agency (NTA) had announced that the JEE (Main) will be held from September 1 to 6 and NEET (UG) on September 13 after the Supreme Court dismissed a petition seeking the postponement of the NEET and JEE scheduled to be held in September 2020.
Exam Centres increased for JEE & NEET
In order to meet social distancing requirements due to Covid-19 pandemic, the number of Examination Centers have been increased from 570 to 660 in case of JEE-Mains and from 2,546 to 3,843 for NEET-UG 2020. Additionally, in case of JEE-Mains, the number of shifts have been increased from 8 to 12. Number of candidates per shift has also been reduced from 1.32 lakh to 85,000.
This year nearly 8.5 lakh candidates have registered for JEE-Mains while the number of registrations for NEET-UG has been nearly 16 lakhs. In order to ensure proper social distancing inside the examination halls, the candidates will be seated in alternate seats in case of JEE-Mains.
As another precautionary step, the number of candidates allowed to take NEET-UG test in one room has been reduced from 24 to 12. For ensuring social distancing outside the examination hall, the entry and exit of candidates have been staggered. Adequate arrangements have also been made outside the examination centers to enable candidates follow social distancing norms.
Mamata wants exams postponed, writes to PM Modi
Many ministers have been opposing the Centre’s decision to conduct the exams.
Earlier in the day, West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee wrote to Prime Minister Narendra Modi urging the Central Government to consider filing a review petition in the Supreme Court over the dates of NEET and JEE examinations.