NEET 2020: 14.37 lakh students out of 15.97 who registered attempted exam, says Pokhriyal

A day after NEET 2020 was conducted, Education Minister Ramesh Pokhriyal Nishank said that out of 15.97 lakh registered candidates, 14.37 lakh students appeared in NEET examinations. NEET was originally scheduled for May 3, but was pushed to July 26, and n to September 13 considering  pandemic situation.

Central government had faced a lot of criticism for conducting NEET exams amid coronavirus pandemic. People who opposed alleged that many students couldn't prepare for exam. Justifying conduction of exams, Pokhriyal said that cancellation of exams would have wasted year for students.

"Out of 15.97 lakh registered candidates, 14.37 lakh students appeared in NEET examinations. Some people were raising questions over conduct of examinations but we knew that students didn't want one year to go waste," said Pokhriyal.

Pokhriyal Nishank on Sunday had thanked Chief Ministers of all states and National Testing ncy (NTA). A total of 15.97 lakh students have registered for  pen and paper-based test. Pokhriyal had apprised about 85-90% student participation and furr said that participation reflects tenacity and grit of young students.

READ: Tamil Nadu Assembly begins amidst demand by DMK to ban NEET

'Staggered entry and exit of candidates'

"For ensuring social distancing outside examination halls, a staggered entry and exit of candidates has been planned. Adequate arrangements have also been made outside examination centres to enable candidates stand with adequate social distancing while waiting," a senior NTA official said.

Candidates have also been issued an advisory guiding m about 'dos and don'ts' for proper social distancing. NTA has also written to state governments to extend support in local transportation of candidates so that y are able to reach ir examination centres in time,  official added.

READ: Bihar boy travels 700 km to reach NEET centre, misses exam by 10 minutes

Steps taken by NTA to conduct safe examination

Some of major steps taken by testing ncy to conduct safe examination include; making hand sanitisers available at entrance of examination centre and inside exam hall at all times, increasing number of examination centres, replacing process of checking admit cards of candidates with barcode readers, alternate seating plans, fewer candidates per room and staggered entry and exit.

All candidates are asked to come to exam centres with masks and sanitisers and once y enter centre, y will have to use masks provided by examination authority, NTA said. "Each candidate will be offered a three-ply mask at time of entry and are expected to wear same during examination in order to avoid any form of unfair means at time of examination," official added.

READ: 'NEET deprives students of ir dreams,' say DMK netas as y protest outside Parliament

READ: NEET 2020: Education Minister Pokhriyal thanks CMs & NTA; hails grit of young students