(Riya Singh, Intern Journalist): The Supreme Court has refused to entertain a fresh plea filed seeking postponement of NEET-UG examination by the National Testing Agency in wake of the covid-19 pandemic. The pleas also sought reliefs like having more number of NEET exam centers and holding the eligibility test of NEET in more than one shifts.
Senior Advocate Arvind Datar highlighted the practical difficulties of conducting the exam and NEET exams are starting on Sept 13 and urged the Court to consider postponing the exam by three weeks.
The Bench observed that all arrangements will be made for the NEET exams and there cannot be different dates for different States. Also, no matter what date is fixed there will be some difficulty.
Senior Advocate KTS Tulsi argued that Covid-19 cases are increasing as there are 90,000 daily cases and students are at a high risk of contracting the virus. He cites Bombay HC’s recent order where it was said those who cannot appear for the exam should be appropriately considered.
In compliance with Supreme Court’s order, the Union government through Amit Khare, Secretary of High Education Ministry, had also clarified on August 25 that NEET and JEE will happen as scheduled in September as the year cannot be wasted.
The Joint Entrance Examinations (JEE) Main for admission to engineering institutes was finally conducted on September 1 with precautions amid Covid-19, and NEET 2020, for admission to country’s medical colleges is scheduled to be held on September 13. Both the entrance exams had been postponed twice in the wake of the Covid-19 pandemic.
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