SC to hear review petition on order rejecting NEET-JEE postponement on September 4

A Supreme Court bench comprising Justices Ashok Bhushan, BR Gavai and Krishna Murari will hear on Friday a review petition on order rejecting pleas seeking postponement of JEE and NEET exams. hearing shall be conducted in judges' chamber. review plea was filed by West Bengal Law Minister Moloy Ghatak, Jharkhand Finance Minister Rameshwar Oraon, Rajasthan Health Minister Raghu Sharma, Chhattisgarh Civil Supplies Minister Amarjeet Bhagat, Punjab Labour Minister Balbir Singh Sidhu, and Maharashtra Higher and Technical Education Minister Uday Samant.

As per plea, apex court's order failed to secure safety, security, and right to life of students appearing for JEE and NEET exams. Moreover, it contended that SC had igred logistical difficulties in conducting exams on scheduled dates. While JEE Main exam has commenced on September 1, NEET examination will take place on September 13. 

Read: NEET, JEE Exams: Railways To Run 5 Pairs Of Special Trains In UP To Facilitate Students

What is SC verdict?

In its judgment dated August 17 on a bunch of pleas, an SC bench of Justices Arun Mishra, BR Gavai, and Krishna Murari ruled that re was " justification" whatsoever for JEE and NEET exams to be postponed. While ackwledging COVID-19 situation, bench stressed that "life has to go on". It held that career of students cant be put in peril for long and that a full academic year cant be wasted. apex court also took into account Solicitor General Tushar Mehta's submission that exams shall be conducted with due precaution.

Read: NEET-JEE Row: Subramanian Swamy Demands Statewise Percent of Students Taking Exam

NTA's social distancing measures

National Testing ncy had assured all students of a safe environment in wake of COVID-19 crisis. It 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. Furrmore, entry and exit of candidates shall be staggered. candidates have also been issued an advisory on proper social distancing. Also, NTA wrote to state governments for ensuring that candidates are able to reach ir exam centres on time.

Read: 'Only 25% In State Appeared For JEE Exam Due To COVID-19': Mamata Banerjee Slams Centre