COVID-19 lockdown creates stress, panic among students

Though the University Grants Commission (UGC) has directed all universities and colleges to set up mental health helplines to address psychosocial concerns of students, but, the initiative does not seem helpful for those who have been engaged in preparing for various competitive examinations.

New Delhi:Since the novel coronavirus outbreak escalated in India, the students who are preparing for various competitive exams are facing several anxiety issues as their exams were postponed for the indefinite period, amid the COVID-19 lockdown.

Though, the University Grants Commission (UGC) has directed all universities and colleges to set up mental health helplines to address psychosocial concerns of students, but, the initiative does not seem helpful for those who have been engaged in preparing for their destiny.

Today, ETV Bharat interacted some of the students who are preparing for various competitive and college entrance exams.

Suvya Kapoor, a student of class 12 and an aspirant of NEET- a national level common entrance exam for admission in medical colleges in India, said, "I am preparing for the medical entrance exams for the last two years. I was in the final stage of the preparation and suddenly I got a notification from the HRD Ministry that my exams have been postponed till further orders, due to nationwide lockdown."

The 20-year-old aspirant further maintained that she had been taking private tuition classes for the clarification of doubts. Now, amid lockdown, she has to clear her suspicions with her own.

"Though my mentor has started conducting classes through the digital medium, but, it seems difficult to clear all my doubts which I have been facing during my studies," added Kapoor.

It is important to note that the NEET scores are used to secure admission in both government and private medical colleges across the country. The results that are usually out in June, after which admissions to the colleges begin, lacks clarity on when the new session will begin.