Hyderabad: The National Eligibility cum Entrance Test (NEET) for postgraduate students has been postponed for the time being, Union Health Minister Dr Harsh Vardhan said on Thursday. The all-India medical entrance test was scheduled to take place on April 18.
The minister took to Twitter to announce the postponement of the examination adding the next date will be notified later.
"In light of the surge in #COVID19 cases, GoI has decided to postpone #NEETPG2021 exam which was earlier scheduled to be held on Apr 18 Next date to be decided later Decision has been taken keeping wellbeing of our young medical students in mind (sic)", wrote Dr Harsh Vardhan.
This comes amid the second wave of the pandemic being witnessed across the country. India on Wednesday registered its highest-ever single-day spike in COVID-19 with over two lakh cases.
Read: CBSE cancels Class 10 board exams, postpones Class 12 exams
Taking into account the alarming figures, the government had on Wednesday cancelled CBSE board exams for Class 10 and postponed Class 12 exams. "Results of Class 10th will be prepared on the basis of an objective criterion to be developed by the Board.
Class 12th exams will be held later, the situation will be reviewed on 1st June by the Board," the ministry said after a high-level meeting chaired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi.
The NEET, as well as the Joint Entrance Examination (JEE), had been postponed last year as well due to the COVID-19 pandemic. The NEET was held in September last year amid stringent checks and protocols in view of the Covid-19 pandemic. Originally scheduled for May 3, it had been deferred twice due to Covid-19. First, it was postponed to July 26 and then to September 13.
(With inputs from agency)
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