Centre releases revised SOP for conducting exams during COVID-19 ahead of NEET

Ahead of National Eligibility cum Entrance Test (NEET) exam on September 13, Centre on Thursday, issued revised guidelines for conducting exams amid Coronavirus (COVID-19). Apart from general health guidelines, Ministry of Health and Family Welfare (MoHFW) released specific guidelines for planning of exams, transport to exam centres, movement within exam centres and SOP for applicants who develop symptom amid exams. Supreme Court has dismissed all pleas seeking deferment of exams, with state governments w preparing to hold exams.

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Centre releases exam guidelines (key features)

• Detailing criteria for entry into exam centres, govt has stated that only asymptomatic staff and students will be allowed inside centres and mandated wearing masks in exam centres. 
• bags, books of mobiles are allowed in exam halls and frisking may be undertaken post-rmal screening if needed.
• For movement inside exam halls, Centre has advised institutes to adopt contact-less processes like OR code, online, digital signatures
• For pen and paper exams, Centre has advised opening answer sheets only 72 hours after collection and advised invigilators and applicants to sanitise ir hands prior to receiving papers.
• Centre has also advised isolating students developing symptoms and informing nearest medical facility if health deteriorates.

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NEET tussle

With National Testing ncy (NTA) already releasing admit cards fir NEET exams, it has also detailed guidelines for aspirants appearing for exam amid COVID -  staggered time slots, temperature scans, separate isolation rooms for students displaying COVID-19 symptoms. NTA has quoted SC's order stating, "We find that re is absolutely justification in prayer made for postponement of examination in question relating to NEET UG-2020 as well as JEE (Main) April 2020. In our opinion, though re is a pandemic situation, ultimately life has to go and career of students cant be put on peril for long and full academic year cant be wasted", in its decision to hold exams.

Centre confirms NEET exam to be held on September 13; admit cards to be distributed soon

Citing COVID-19 pandemic, floods in Uttar Pradesh, Bihar, Assam, constricted travel amid lockdown in various states, students have sought to postpone exams. Several activists have highlighted undue stress thrust on students amid pandemic to appear for exams while Universities and schools remain shut as ordered by Centre. Apart from entrance exams like NEET and JEE, states like Himachal Pradesh, Maharashtra, Delhi have opposed Centre's order to conduct Final Year exams by September. se governments have informed Supreme Court that it will be unable to conduct se exams amid ongoing pandemic. Inspite of a Congress-led Opposition to conduct exams, NTA clocked that 74% attendance of JEE aspirants in recently conducted exams.

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