NEW DELHI: Nearly 90 per cent candidates appeared in the medical entrance exam NEET held at over 3,800 centres across the country on Sunday amid strict precautions in view of the COVID-19 pandemic.
The National Eligibility cum Entrance Test (NEET) began at 2 PM, but entry to centres started at 11 AM. Students were allotted different slots for staggered movement to ensure social distancing.
As many as 15.97 lakh candidates had registered for NEET, which was earlier postponed twice in view of the pandemic.
Based on random sampling, the National Testing Agency (NTA) said that the attendance for the exam was between 85-90 per cent.
However, the official attendance figures were not available yet. The attendance in 2019 was 92.9 per cent.
The candidates who missed the exams after testing positive for COVID-19 will get another opportunity to sit for the test, the date for which will be announced later.
Union Education Minister Ramesh Pokhriyal ‘Nishank’ wished luck to the candidates appearing for the exam and assured that arrangements were in place for their safety.
“NTA informed me that around 85-90 per cent students appeared in NEET exam. I sincerely thank all chief ministers and NTA for proper arrangements made to facilitate student participation. NEET participation reflects the tenacity and grit of young,” he tweeted.
From this year the admissions to MBBS course in the 13 All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS), Jawaharlal Institute of Postgraduate Medical Education and Research (JIPMER), Puducherry will also be made through NEET following the amendment in National Medical Commission Act, 2019 passed by Parliament last year.
Congress leader Rahul Gandhi, who has been demanding the exam be postponed following a spike in coronavirus cases, wished students while expressing his sympathies with those who could not take it due to the COVID-19 pandemic and floods.
“My best wishes to the students appearing for NEET exam and my sympathies to those who couldn’t take it due to the Covid pandemic and floods. Wish Modi ji was as concerned about JEE-NEET aspirants and students as he is about his crony capitalist friends,” he said on Twitter.
The test was offered in 11 languages, including English, Hindi, Assamese, Bengali. (PTI)
