Holding NEET-JEE now favours rich kids; poor haven't had access: Subramanian Swamy

demand for postponement of National Eligibility Cum Entrance Test (NEET) and JEE examinations is growing day by day even as NTA has clarified that given exams will take place as scheduled. While students and parents are raising ir voice through various campaigns on social media using hashtags like SATYAGRAHagainstExamInCovid and  #PostponeJEE_NEETinCOVID, campaign has gone worldwide with climate activist Greta Thunberg backing demand. In India, activists, politicians and celebrities have urged Centre to reconsider its decision.

Among m is BJP MP Subramanian Swamy, who on Wednesday took to Twitter and alleged glaring inequalities that will be faced by students if examinations are taken at this juncture. Urging Prime Minister to empathise, Swamy said that examination right w favours children of rich parents in major cities as poor and lower-middle-class children have had access to internet or ability to go to libraries or collective study due to COVID-19 induced lockdown. 

READ | NEET, JEE Main 2020: Mamata writes to PM Modi again, asks Centre to file review plea in SC

Amid soaring coronavirus cases, it is purported that if examinations are conducted n lives of around 25 lakh candidates will be at risk. While West Bengal CM Mamata Banerjee, Odisha CM Naveen Patnaik has urged Centre to postpone exams, politicians across party line have joined chorus - DMK chief Stalin, Delhi’s deputy chief minister Manish Sisodia, Samajwadi Party president Akhilesh Yadav, have all slammed Central government.  

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

Social distancing measures by NTA

Amid increasing demand for postponement of JEE and NEET exams, National Testing ncy on Tuesday reiterated that y would be held as scheduled. While JEE Main examination will be held between September 1 to 6, NEET examination is scheduled for September 13.

NTA observed that over 99% of candidates in both exams had got ir first choice of centre cities. Additionally, number of exam centres for JEE Main has been increased from 570 to 660. On or hand, NEET exam will w be conducted in 3843 centres instead of 2546 centres. In case of JEE Main, number of candidates per shift has been reduced from 1.32 lakh to 85,000.

While candidates for JEE Main shall be seated in alternate seats, number of candidates per room in NEET exam will be 12 instead of 24. Moreover, entry and exit of candidates shall be staggered. candidates have also been issued an advisory on proper social distancing. Also, NTA has written to state governments to extend support for ensuring that candidates are able to reach ir exam centres on time.

READ | NEET, JEE Main 2020: Sonu Sood Highlights Bihar Floods, Says, 'Exams Should Be Postponed'

READ | NTA reiterates JEE & NEET exams to be held as scheduled, lists social distancing measures