Will go ahead with JEE, NEET exams as students, parents wanted it: Education Minister

Amid a growing chorus for postponing the crucial tests in view of the COVID-19 pandemic, Education Minister Ramesh Pokhriyal Nishank on Wednesday for the first time publically defended the Supreme Court's order and stated that the exams will be held as per the schedule.

Hyderabad:After officials confirmed on Tuesday that the Joint Entrance Examination (Main) and the National Eligibility-cum-Entrance Test (NEET-UG) will be conducted in September as scheduled, speaking on the much-debated topic Education Minister Ramesh Pokhriyal Nishank on Wednesday also defended the Supreme Court's order publically for the first time.

Amid a growing chorus for postponing the crucial tests in view of the COVID-19 pandemic, in an interview to the government broadcaster DD News, Nishank said the Centre has decided to conduct the exams after "constant pressure from parents and students".

He added that 80 per cent of the students who are going to write JEE have already downloaded the admit cards.

"The students were very worried and kept thinking for how long will they continue to study?" the Education Minister told DD News.

He added that all the arrangements will be made keeping in mind the safety of students amid COVID-19 pandemic.

"We are with students. Their safety comes first, then their education," Nishank said.

On talking about reopening of schools, Nishank said a deciosion will be taken soon keeping into considerations the guidelines given by the Home Ministry and the Health Ministry.

The National Testing Agency had said it has planned several steps to conduct the papers safely which include increasing the number of examination centres, alternate seating plan, fewer candidates per room and staggered entry and exit.

While the Joint Entrance Examination (Main) is scheduled from September 1-6, the National Eligibility cum Entrance Test (NEET-UG) is planned on September 13.

"The number of examination centers have also been increased from 570 to 660 (for JEE Main) and 2,546 to 3843 (for NEET). While JEE-Mains is a computer-based test, NEET is a pen-paper test, the NTA said in a statement.

While a total of 9.53 lakh candidates have registered for JEE-Mains, 15.97 lakh students have registered for NEET.

Many ministers have been opposing the Centre's decision to conduct the exams including, Congress veteran Sonia Gandhi, West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee who also wrote to Prime Minister Narendra Modi urging the Central Government to consider filing a review petition in the Supreme Court over the dates of NEET and JEE examinations.

Swedish teen climate activist Greta Thunberg also on Tuesday said it is deeply unfair for Indian students to sit for national exams amidst the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic.

She said millions have been affected due to floods in states like Bihar, Gujarat and Assam and called for the postponement of NEET 2020 and JEE Main 2020 entrance exams.

"It's deeply unfair that students of India are asked to sit national exams during the COVID-19 pandemic and while millions have also been impacted by the extreme floods.

"I stand with their call to #PostponeJEE_NEETinCOVID," the 17-year-old activist tweeted.

(With inputs from agencies.)