The National Eligibility cum Entrance Test (NEET) for admission to medical colleges is being held as per schedule on Sunday with strict COVID-19 protocols as the country crossed its 47-lakh tally.

Candidates arrived at their allotted examination centres wearing masks and taking other safety precautions pertaining to the infection.

A candidate from Chennai told news agency ANI, “NEET is just an exam.There’s nothing to fear about. If not cleared this time,we can reappear next year.”

Another candidate from West Bengal’s Siliguri briefed about the protocols that are being maintained. “It’s a test of 1.5 years of my hard work. We’re taking all precautions, including wearing masks and frequently sanitizing hands,” the student told ANI.

Officials from the National Test Agency (NTA) told PTI that 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, to ensure social distancing.

Other arrangements to ensure safety of the candidates include providing hand sanitisers outside and inside the examination hall, bar code readers to check admit cards and alternate seating plans. “Each candidate will be offered a three-ply mask at the time of entry and are expected to wear the same during the examination in order to avoid any form of unfair means at the time of examination,” a senior NTA official told PTI.