NEET, JEE In September Will Save One Precious Year Of Students, Says Education Minister

Bhubaneswar: Amid the growing clamour for postponement of JEE and NEET examinations, next Union Education Minister Ramesh Pokhriyal Nishank sought to underline the importance of conducting the crucial entrance tests in September, saying that it will help students save an academic year.

“NTA DG told me that 7.5 lakhs out of 8.58 lakhs candidates in JEE have downloaded admit cards. For NEET, over 10 lakhs out of 15.97 lakhs candidates downloaded admit cards in 24 hours. It shows that students want exams to be held at any cost,” Pokhriyal told ANI.

The minister reiterated that JEE exam centres have been increased from 570 to 660 while there are 3,842 NEET centres — up from the original 2,546 — for the convenience of students, who have been allotted centres of their choice.

“The Supreme Court of India also said that the full academic year cannot be wasted. After two deferments, the examination dates have been finalised,” Pokhriyal said.

The threat of coronavirus has resulted in concerned parents, students, political leaders including chief ministers pleading with the government to postpone the exams.

Meanwhile, over 150 academicians from various universities in India and abroad have written to Prime Minister Narendra Modi in support of conducting the exams.

JEE Mains will be conducted between September 1 to 6, and the NEET on September 13, .