Yesterday morning on May 3, 2021, when after the Asian News International (ANI) tweeted that the Prime Minister of India, Narendra Modi shall decide on delaying NEET, aspirants waited for the official announcement. Soon in the evening yesterday, the Press Information Bureau (PIB) released the official press release clarifying that decision has been taken to postpone NEET PG 2021 by 4 months. However, NEET UG has yet not been delayed and the press release did not talk about the UG exam.
The press release from PIB highlighted the major decisions taken towards pulling human resources for effective management of COVID-19 in the nation. For it, PM decided to incentivize the students and pass-outs of medical, as well as, nursing courses who will complete 100 days minimum in Covid duty.
Although there is yet no decision taken for National Eligibility cum Entrance Test (Undergraduate), there are some signs that indicate that the UG medical entrance exam to be held on August 01,2021, can be also delayed.
First, the class 12 board exams have been postponed all over the nation until further notice. They will probably happen in June / July. CBSE has announced that it will review the situation in the nation on June 01, 2021, and then announce any date. 15 days gap will be given between the exam start date and the start of the exam. And since there has to be a proper gap between the board exams and NEET UG 2021, a delay in the exam can be expected, depending on the board exam schedule across the nation.
Second, even the conducting body of the exam, NTA is not sure on when to hold the exam. Vivek Pandey, a medical student from Madhya Pradesh filed an RTI. Replying to it, NTA said that “In view of the ensuing second wave of COVID019 pandemic, NTA is in the process of consulting with concerned ministries for finalising the date to launch the Online Application Form for NEET (UG) 2021. “Hence it is taking some time. However, the same will be notified at the earliest on the NEET (UG) website neet.nta.nic.in as soon as the date is decided in consultation with concerned ministries and organisations.”
Third, not only the boards but many entrance exams are postponed like JEE Mains / Advanced, UPCET 2021, and more. Their dates should not clash with NEET.
Fourth, The silent treatment of NTA on NEET 2021 day by day, increases the chances of NEET-UG 2021 being postponed. NEET UG application form has yet not been released. NTA released the notification for NEET UG dates in the month of March and notified that the application form, brochure, and more details will be available shortly. However, there has been no update since.
Fifth, the raging COVID-19 cases is showing no sign of stopping. There is uncertainty on when the pandemic is going to hit new highs every day. At the national level, India continues to see new peaks every day. Over 3.50 lakh fresh Covid-19 cases have pushed the coronavirus caseload to over 1.73 crores. Therefore, unless the signs of a controlled pandemic are seen, NEET 2021 might not be held. In NEET around 15 lakh students register as it is the only medical entrance exam for the 12th passed / appearing students.
On the other hand, whether NEET 2021 be postponed from August 01, 2021, has become a matter of debate among the students and there is a mixed reaction.
Many students demand the NEET 2021 registration must start atleast:
Some students say that so much delay is “tormenting”.
Some believe that India right now need medical professional to join hand in COVID duty and hence postponing medical admission is not right.
However, many do want the exam to be postponed further:
Many students and their family member are effected by COVID-19 and thus they are requesting for the postponement of NEET UG:
Until now the only official information available regarding NEET 2021 is that the exam will be held on August 01, 2021. As per the official website of NEET 2021, neet.nta.nic.in (earlier, ntaneet.nic.in), the “Online Application Form will Available soon”. The last and latest notice for NEET 2021 is as follows:
