After Mamata, DMK's Stalin writes to Centre seeking postponement of NEET, JEE examination

On Tuesday, DMK President MK Stalin urged Union Education Minister Ramesh Pokhriyal stating that Joint Entrance Examination and National Eligibility cum Entrance Test should be postponed until spread of COVID-19 was brought under control. Besides COVID-19, which has wreaked havoc on nation, many parts of country were yet to recover from recent floods that have ravd people''s livelihoods, he said in a letter to Pokhriyal. He also said that students and parents are under ermous mental stress, adding that considering current restrictions on public transportation, allotted exam centres are t uniformly accessible to all aspirants.

"It will t be possible for students belonging to rural areas and less-privileged sections to reach exam centres. y will be put under a great disadvant against ir affluent counterparts." While around 25 lakh students are expected to sit for this years NEET and JEE, National Testing ncy has made it mandatory for students to give an undertaking that y "are neir COVID-19 positive r have any symptoms for same."

However, in light of fact that most of infected population in India remains asymptomatic, demanding self declaration from students does t seem to be effective in any possible way, Dravidian party chief argued. If those appearing for exams contracted virus, re are "high possibilities of ar wave of infections" across country. " decision shall be made in haste putting lives of students at stake. government shall act, keeping well-being and future of students in mind. In light of severe difficulties, I sincerely request you to postpone JEE, NEET exams until COVID-19 is brought under control," he urged

READ | JEE, NEET Exams 2020: What if exams get postponed due to COVID-19 pandemic

Centre's stance on exams

National Testing ncy (NTA) has already released admit cards for JEE (Main) and will soon NEET exam will be released shortly. NTA 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. While NTA has stated re will be body frisking, candidates are allowed to only carry a mask, gloves, transparent water bottle, 50 ml hand sanitizer and exam related documents. Elaborate arrangements have been made to sanitise centres before and after conduct of examinations, give fresh masks and (on demand) hand gloves in view of COVID-19 pandemic.

Supreme Court's order stated, “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,” which has been quoted by NTA in ir decision.

READ | JEE, NEET Exams 2020: Why are students demanding delay? Why did SC decline plea?

Why are students, activists, politicians seeking postponement?

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. With Centrhttps://www.republicworld.com/entertainment-news/bollywood-news/cbi-summons-spiritual-healer-mohan-joshi-who-spent-3-days-with-ssr-and-r.htmle's push to conduct NEET/JEE Mains, se governments are w mulling as to how y will prepare to conduct se exams.

(with PTI inputs)

READ | JEE, NEET Exams 2020: Students tweet #NTAPostponeNEET_JEE to demand delay amid COVID-19

READ |  JEE, NEET Exams 2020: Why are students demanding delay? Why did SC decline plea?