A recent response by National Testing Agency (NTA), for the RTI filed by Vivek Pandey, has shed some light on the status of the National Eligibility cum Entrance Test (NEET) 2021. The answer to the RTI clarified 3 important things : (1) when is the application form for NEET 2021 releasing (2) NEET 2021 exam date, and (3) NEET 2021 will defer or not.
#1. NEET 2021 application form dates still foggy
As for the application form, NTA has said that it is process of consultation with the concerned Ministries to finalize the date for releasing the form. Hence, it is taking time to start the registration process.
NTA further clarified that as soon as the NEET application form release date is confirmed, it will be notified at neet.nta.nic.in.
Read NTA Response – “In view of ensuing second wave of Covid-19 pandemic, NTA is in the process of consultation with the concerned Ministries for finalizing the date to launch the online application form for NEET (UG) 2021. Hence it is taking some time. 2. However the same shall be notified at the earliest at the NEET (UG) website (neet.nta.nic.in) as soon as the date is decided in consultation with the concerned ministries and organizations.
#2. NEET 2021 will be held on August 01, 2021; Date not deferred
For the exam date of NEET 2021, the testing agency responded that right now NEET is due to be held on August 01, 2021. However, if any unavoidable circumstance arises then the exam might be postponed. The update for the same will be made at neet.nta.nic.in.
Read NTA Response – “As per the public notice dates 12.03.2021, the NEET (UG) 2021 examination stands to be conducted on 01 August 2021 as on date if the exam would be required to be postponed dye unavoidable circumstances, the same would be on the website. Please keep visit NTA website nta.ac.in, for updates.”
#3. NEET 2021 will defer only if the circumstances are unavoidable
Hence, as of now, NTA has not deferred the exam date of NEET UG 2021. The exam will be held on the due date. However, NTA has made it very clear that if the situation is not favourable the exam date might be pushed back. NTA will only defer NEET if the pandemic situation in India does not get better.
The date of the exam was announced officially on March 12, 2021, on nta.ac.in, via official public notice. Since there were no updates on the exam since then, there were many confusions on whether NTA has postponed the exam or will postpone it. But the reply to this RTI has made it clear that right now there is no change in NEET 2021 exam date.
For any updates on NEET 2021, NTA has advised to follow the website nta.ac.in.
The RTI has been filed by Vivek Pandey of Madhya Pradesh. The date of RTI receipt is May 29, 2021. In his RTI, he sought answers for these two questions:
1. Please provide the details and expected date of release of NEET 2021 application form.
2. Please provide the details is any decision is taken to postpone NEET 2021 examinations due to the postponement of boards examination because of COVID-19 second wave.”
