Even as the demand grows louder for the postponement of JEE/NEET examinations in the wake of increasing coronavirus cases, the National Testing Agency (NTA) said on Tuesday that the exams will be held on the dates announced earlier.
JEE (Main) exam will be held from September 1-6 while the NEET exam will be conducted on September 13.
Aspirants sit for Joint Entrance Examination (JEE) for admission to premier engineering colleges and National Eligibility cum Entrance Test (NEET) for undergraduate medical courses.
In a fresh circular issued on Tuesday, the NTA cited the Supreme Court's observation that there is no justification in the prayer made for the postponement of JEE/NEET examinations.
“NTA has, since then, released Admit Cards of JEE (Main) Examination. The Admit Cards of NEET (UG) 2020 will also be released shortly and the NTA has ensured that more than 99 per cent candidates get their first choice of Centre Cities in both of these examinations,” the circular said.
NTA said the number of exam centres for JEE (Main) has increased from 570 to 660 while the number of NEET centres hiked from 2546 to 3843. JEE (Main) is computer-based while NEET is pen paper-based.
“Additionally, in case of JEE (Main), the number of shifts has been increased from the earlier eight to 12, and the number of candidates per shift has been reduced from earlier 1.32 lakh to 85,000 now,” the circular said.
While a total of 9.53 lakh candidates have registered for JEE-Mains, 15.97 lakh students have registered for NEET.
In order to ensure proper social distancing inside the examination halls, the candidates will be seated in alternate seats in case of JEE-Mains. In case of NEET, the number of candidates per room has been reduced from 24 to 12, the NTA said.
"Adequate arrangements have also been made outside the examination centers to enable candidates stand with adequate social distancing, while waiting. Candidates have also been issued advisory guiding them about Dos and Don'ts' for proper social distancing," the circular added.
