NEET 2020, JEE Main 2020 and CBSE Board exam dates to be released soon: HRD Ministry

The pending CBSE board exams and competitive exams like JEE Main 2020 and NEET 2020 will be conducted once the lockdown is lifted and the situation is favorable, said Union HRD minister Ramesh Pokhriyal.

Union Human Resource Development Minister Ramesh Pokhriyal while interacting live with students and teachers through a social media platform said that the pending CBSE board exams and competitive exams like JEE Main 2020 and NEET 2020 will be conducted once the lockdown is lifted and the situation is favorable.

He also congratulated students for remaining disciplined and patient throughout this crucial time.

While giving assurance to aspirants, he said, there has been some delay in conducting JEE Main and NEET 2020 entrance exam but will be held as soon as the situation gets back to normal. 

In wake of coronavirus outbreak, the National Testing Agency (NTA) had postponed the JEE Main 2020 April Session exam across the country. Earlier, JEE Main exam was scheduled to be held from April 5, 7, 8, 9 and 11, 2020.

JEE Advanced was also among the competitive examinations that have been postponed/cancelled. Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) Delhi, the exam conducting body for Joint Entrance Examination (JEE) Advanced 2020, has postponed the entrance examination that was scheduled to be conducted on May 17, 2020. According to media sources, the exams are expected to be held in third week of June.

JEE Main is conducted for those students who wish to get into BE or BTech courses in the National Institutes of Technology (NITs), Indian Institutes of Information Technology (IIITs), other Centrally Funded Technical Institutes (CFTIs).

JEE Advanced, helps in getting admission in 23 IITs across the country.

Also Read: COVID 19: JEE Main, JEE Advanced exam postponement challenges

All students from classes 1 to 8 have been promoted to the next grade, he informed. He also repeated the previous circular regarding CBSE Class 10th Board and CBSE Class 12th Board, that not all exams will be reconducted and only major subjects which are important for the higher studies will be held.  For papers that will not be held, marks will be calculated based on internal marks and year-long performance, he informed.

All state education ministers are scheduled to interact with HRD minister tomorrow, to discuss the issues faced by the teachers, students at the state level, and steps to be taken reach out to a maximum number of students.

Also Read: India against coronavirus: MHRD to conduct meeting with all state education ministers on April 28

He also requested parents to help those students in their vicinity who do not have access to the internet or TV and are missing on the educational content. He said that teachers are working harder than usual. Teachers are reaching out to students in whatever mode possible like Facebook, telephone, All India Radio, and many other mediums. They are trying their best to reach out to students who do not have access to high-end digital technologies. He added that this will be converted into opportunities moving ahead.

The minister said even as the online education is being boosted as a ‘mission’ across India, the ministry has also directed NCERT to ensure that students have the next academic session books the book stores across the states have been opened. Book stores across India have been among the few stores which have been given a nod to open amid lockdown.