NEET 2020: Delayed exam dates cause students to look for alternate career options

National Eligibility Cum Entrance Test 2025 ( NEET )

DeskCalelnderCounselling - 5 Nov '25 - 9 Nov '25

Updated on Jul 22, 2020 04:24 IST

Deferment and uncertainty around NEET exam dates have resulted in an increased demand for alternative careers options in medicine which are not dependent on this entrance test. Know what caused this outflux here.

Career options without NEET

The National Testing Agency (NTA) may have announced the new exam dates for NEET 2020, but the uncertainty still looms in the minds of the test-takers. As the number of COVID-19 cases in India rise, NEET 2020 aspirants are worried that the examination may be pushed even further. Some even fear that NEET 2020 may be cancelled and the admissions to MBBS/BDS courses will be on the basis of the marks obtained in Class 12. However, these are merely speculations arising out of the fear of the unknown.

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Many students have spent two or more years preparing for NEET 2020. Many of them have appeared for NEET in the previous years. The speculations around NEET 2020 exam dates and the admission process for the current year have caused these students to worry about their future. Preparing for NEET 2020 without knowing the fate of the examination is taking a toll on them. To break out of this, students have now turned to other career options in medicine which are not dependent on NEET. An indication of this is the steady rise in the number of students looking for information on the admission process of paramedical courses.

Also Read: Medical courses without NEET

Students have turned to take admissions in these courses rather than waiting out for NEET 2020. But, the exam date is not the only concern. Many students do not have access to modern technology and have been missing out on the NEET preparation due to inaccessibility to coaching centres. The pandemic has caused reverse migration causing students to return to their homes, some of which are remote areas where internet connection is still weak/absent. Preparing for NEET 2020 is becoming a challenge for these students.

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But it is not only the less fortunate who have been affected by the delay in NEET 2020 exam dates. Many students who have been attending the online classes are also finding it difficult to complete their preparation. Online classes may be delivering the necessary information to these students, but is not helping them much with their doubts. Many students are not comfortable in clarifying doubts in an online session, while reaching out to the teacher offline is becoming difficult at the same time. The doubt clearing sessions organised online also have limited reach and accessibility. Another major change is that students have to appear for NEET mock tests online. The method is not proving to be useful for many students preparing for an examination which is meant to be held offline.

On the other hand, admission to paramedical and nursing courses, in most of the institutes, is based on the marks obtained in Class 12. The remaining institutions conduct a separate examination for admission to these courses. The application process for many institutions has just begun, giving the students an option to apply for the desired paramedical course. An added bonus is the fees, most paramedical courses have a reasonable tuition fee. Taking admission into one of the many paramedical courses will save these students from the hamster wheel that NEET 2020 preparation has become for them.

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Answered a month ago

PGIMER does not accept the NEET UG score. You need to appear in the PGIMER BSc Nursing exam separately for the BSc Nursing program. To appear in this examination, students must have completed the Class 12 examination with Physics, Chemistry, Biology, and English subjects. A separate counseling will

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Pallavi Pathak

Contributor-Level 10

Answered a month ago

For admission to BAMS at Taranath Government Ayurveda Medical College, you will generally need documents such as your NEET 2025 Scorecard, Class 12 mark sheets and certificate, Class 10 mark sheet, caste certificate (if applicable), domicile/nationality certificate, and passport-sized photographs. T

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97918892
Tavneet Kaur

Contributor-Level 8

Answered a month ago

No, NEET is not compulsory to pursue medicine courses abroad. However, students who wish to return to India to practice medicine after completing their studies abroad need to have cleared the NEET exam. 

A

Abhishek Khanna

Contributor-Level 8

Answered a month ago

When we talk about the paramedical courses which do not require you to sit for NEET exam then we have options like :

  • Medical Lab Technology (MLT)
  • Radiology and Imaging Technology
  • Physiotherapy (BPT)
  • Operation Theatre Technology
  • Anesthesia Technology
  • Optometry
  • Dialysis Technology
  • Nutrition and Dietetics

D

Diya Nihalani

Contributor-Level 10

Answered a month ago

Yes, NEET-UG is mandatory for admission to the MBBS course at NTRUHS. The full form of NEET is National Eligibility cum Entrance Test (NEET). This is the only entrance exam for admission to MBBS courses offered in India. The exam is conducted once a year in offline mode. Further, applicants who secu

...Read more

R

Rachit Kumar

Contributor-Level 10

Answered a month ago

Yes, applicants can get admission to the NTRUHS BSc course without NEET. As per the information available on the official website, admission to the BSc course is based on merit/ Andhra Pradesh EAMCET/ APNCET scores.  Moreover, there is a possibility that some of the affiliated colleges of NTRUHS acc

...Read more

K

Kartik Sharma

Contributor-Level 10

Answered 2 months ago

The application fee ranges from INR 500 to INR 5,500. Students can check the table below to know the Karnataka NEET UG Counselling application fee:

Category

Fee (in INR)

NRI/OCI/PIO/Foreign nationals

5,500/-

General/2A/2B/3A/3B

2,500/-

SC/ST/Cat-I/PWD

500/-

S

Sanjana Dixit

Contributor-Level 10

Answered 2 months ago

Yes, candidates seeking admission in MBBS programme of Sri Ramachandra Institute of Higher Education and Research must have a valid NEET score. Aspirants are allotted seats through centralised counselling by MCC of DGHS, New Delhi. There are a total of 250 seats available in the MBBS programme of SR

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N

Nishtha Shukla

Guide-Level 15

Answered 2 months ago

Yes, NEET is obligatory for Indian students who want to practice in India after returning from foreign MBBS. If students don't qualify from NEET, they cannot register with the Medical Council of India (NMC).

NEET is not required for admission into foreign medical schools themselves. This would includ

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Y

Yatendra Pradhan

Contributor-Level 10

Answered 2 months ago

Jobs in engineering fields like Computer Science or AI from a top institute and becoming a Commercial Pilot are among the best high-paying jobs that do not require NEET.
Additionally, careers in Data Science, the Merchant Navy, and Pharmacy also offer lucrative opportunities without requiring the NEE

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Rashmi Shekhar

Contributor-Level 8