It is the fluid Covid-19 situation that policymakers are trying to make note of as they try to plan the dates for the medical entrance NEET and engineering entrance JEE (Main) exams, which have been postponed this year in view of the current pandemic situation.

While the class XII examinations were cancelled keeping the pandemic in mind, government officials are aware that they may not have the same luxury when it comes to the entrance exams, as they are necessary when it comes to college admissions.

A senior government official said, “The government is aware that the entrance examinations need to be conducted. Unlike the board exams, they cannot be cancelled because college seats are filled up on a competitive test basis.”

He further added, “However, it is not right to put a timeline as to when the exams will be held as this may lead to undue anxiety among participants. The Covid-19 situation is being closely studied.”

Will NEET and JEE be cancelled?

The National Testing Agency (NTA) under the ministry of education conducts the NEET and JEE (Main) exams. It is learned that a review meeting could be held soon to take a decision on these aspects and consider the pandemic.

Last year, the JEE and NEET exams were conducted despite the challenges posed by the pandemic. Thus, it is highly unlikely that the entrance exams will be cancelled this year. Keeping the Covid-19 situation in mind, several states have made arrangements for NEET and JEE candidates.

The JEE (Main) exam is a computer-based test. In the test held in September last year, as many as 8.58 lakh candidates had registered for the Joint Entrance Examination (JEE)-Main and 15.97 lakh for NEET. The JEE Main 2021 April and May sessions stand postponed while the NEET UG 2021 exam is scheduled to be conducted on August 1.