‘Nearly 90% candidates appeared for NEET today’, says Ramesh Pokhriyal

The National Eligibility cum Entrance Test (NEET) was held in India on Sunday with strict protocols and safety rules amid the ongoing coronavirus pandemic. Ramesh Pokriyal, Union Education Minister, on Sunday, said that around 85-90% students appeared in the NEET exam, as informed by the National Testing Agency (NTA) which conducts the examinations. 

“NTA informed me that around 85-90%  students appeared in #NEET exam today. I sincerely thank all Chief Ministers and @DG_NTA for proper arrangements made to facilitate student participation. #NEET participation reflects the tenacity and grit of young #AtmaNirbharBharat,” Pokhriyal tweeted.

As many as 15.97 lakh candidates had registered for NEET, which was earlier postponed twice in view of the pandemic. The attendance was given by NTA based on random sampling, however, the official figures are not available yet. The attendance in 2019 was 92.9%. 

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The entrance exam for admission into medical colleges was held even after students and opposition parties protested, asking the Indian government to postpone the examination in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic. However, the Supreme Court dismissed the petitions filed by Opposition parties seeking the postponement of entrance exams, including JEE and NEET. 

To ensure social distancing among students, NTA said it has increased the number of centers from 2,546 to 3,843 while the number of candidates per room has been reduced from 24 to 12, reported PTI.

Other arrangements to ensure the safety of the candidates include providing hand sanitizers outside and inside the examination hall, bar code readers to check admit cards and alternate seating plans were also in place.