Chances of Postponement Almost Non-existent: JEE Mains and NEET Schedule Confirmed
Given the current situation, the controversy surrounding the postponement of the Joint Entrance Examination (JEE) Mains and the National Eligibility cum Entrance Test (NEET) appears to be settling down. According to the latest statements from the Ministry of Education and the Education Minister, there is almost no likelihood of these exams being postponed again in September.
The original exam dates, which were left undisturbed after a 5-month delay, stand as follows:
**JEE Mains**: 1st - 6th September 2020 **NEET**: 13th September 2020The Education Minister has reiterated in several public statements that these exams will be conducted as scheduled, emphasizing the importance and commitment to the academic calendar. Students are encouraged to focus on their preparations and be ready to take the exams at any time as they approach the set dates.
Ongoing Political Debates and Pressure for Postponement
However, political debates and pressures from various stakeholders continue to stir discussions. Prominent politicians such as Subraman Swamy, Rahul Gandhi, Mamata Banerjee, Aditya Thakerey, and others have been advocating for further postponement of the exams. For instance, Mamata Banerjee even issued an order stating that there should be no exams until the end of September.
State ministers have also joined this debate, writing letters to PM Narendra Modi urging for the exams to be postponed. However, at the time of this writing, PM Modi has not provided any official stance. The pressure is significant, especially as these exams are crucial for a large number of students aiming for higher education in medical and engineering fields.
Affirmative Steps to Ensure Smooth Conduct of Exams
In response to these concerns, the HRD (Human Resource Development) Minister, Ramesh Pokhriyal Nishank, and the National Testing Agency (NTA) have taken significant steps to ensure the smooth conduct of the exams. These measures include:
**Increase in Exam Centers**: **JEE Mains**: Center count increased from 570 to 660 **NEET**: Center count increased from 2,546 to 3,842 **Center Selection**: Candidates are now guaranteed their preferred centers **Increase in Shifts and Reduce Gatherings**: Shifts increased from 8 to 12 Number of candidates in each shift reduced from 1.32 lakh to 85,000 to avoid large gatheringsDuring an interview with Hindustan Times, the HRD Minister further clarified that the current plan is to move forward with the exams despite the ongoing pandemic. The minister stated:
“There is no certainty about when the pandemic will be over. The solution therefore is to move on with the necessary precautions.”
This statement clearly indicates a strong resolve to conduct the exams on schedule. The HRD Minister also pointed out that postponing the exams would result in students losing an academic year and their hard work would be in vain.
Conclusion and Final Thoughts
While the political and public opinion on exam rescheduling remains diverse, the steps taken so far by the government clearly signal a move towards maintaining the original exam schedule. Students are advised to focus on their preparations and stay informed about any official updates. As of today, the most important step is to be ready and focused for the upcoming exams.
Stay safe and good luck to all the students preparing for JEE Mains and NEET in September 2020.