Will NEET 2020 be postponed again or Not?

Endless appeals and requests to postpone the largest and the only undergraduate medical entrance test in India have been pouring in on all websites. But will this be enough to postpone NEET 2020 further?

The National Eligibility cum Entrance Test (NEET) is the only undergraduate medical entrance test in India. Due to which a large number of candidates appear for this examination every year. The exam centres swamped with the students and their parents on the NEET exam day. The overwhelming crowd on the exam day leading to congestion and traffic jams. With such pictures in mind, will it be possible to conduct NEET 2020 on September 13, amid an ongoing pandemic?

Originally scheduled for May 3, NEET exam was postponed due to the spread of novel coronavirus in India. During the lockdown, the number of infected cases was low which gave candidates hope that the examination can be conducted soon. They appealed to the authorities, asking them to reveal the new NEET 2020 exam dates. Little did they know that the numbers were about to explode.

On May 5, the HRD Minister announced the new date for the NEET 2020 exam, which was July 26. This was backed by an official notification that was released by NTA on May 24. However, the country was still under a lockdown when these dates were announced. As India began to unlock, the number of cases climbed leaving the aspirants of NEET 2020 worried. They now have a new plea, #postponeNEET. 

The authorities found the concerns of these students genuine. They gave in to the demands and moved the exam dates for NEET 2020 further along to September 13. However, even these dates are being criticised and students have started new pleas to postpone the examination further. 

Why should NEET 2020 be postponed? Reasons Stated by the Students in Favour

The plea to postpone NEET 2020 has various reasons. Some of them have been stated below.

Travelling during COVID-19

Many NEET aspirants reside in remote locations of the country. To appear for NEET 2020, they will have to travel to the exam city by bus or train. Though the country is beginning to open, public transportation may take a while to normalise. Also, many candidates are not comfortable with the idea of travelling during an ongoing pandemic. Should these children be forced to put their safety at stake to appear for an examination?

Crowded exam centres

The authorities have ensured the candidates that all necessary precautions will be taken while conducting the examination. But with this large number of test-takers, such precautions may not be enough. Even if the number of candidates was reduced to half at a particular exam centre, it would still be overcrowded and social distancing will become a challenge.

Fear and anxiety

Conducting NEET 2020 amid the scare of novel coronavirus will not only subject the candidates to physical health hazards but also mental health issues. Those who appear for the examination will be worried about their health and may not be able to perform under such pressure. NEET 2020 being such an important examination for these candidates, not being able to give their 100 per cent during the examination is worrisome for them.

Infected students

As mentioned above, NEET is the only entrance test for admission to undergraduate medical courses in India. The examination is conducted only once in a year. Therefore, it is important for the aspirants to make the most of their attempt. However, due to the current situation, many students fear that they may miss their chance if they get infected with COVID-19. Postponing the examination until the peak of COVID-19 passes is the best chance for such candidates.

The Story of Those Who Want the Examination to be Conducted on September 13

As opposed to last time, when the voice of the students wanting NEET 2020 to be conducted on the scheduled date drowned against those wanting to postpone the examination, this time their protest has gained strength. These students have started expressing the views in a more aggressive manner, ensuring that they are heard this time. A few reasons stated by this group, for conducting NEET 2020 on September 13, are listed below.

Fear that the examination will be cancelled for this year

On average, NEET aspirants spend 2 years or more preparing for the entrance test. They put their heart and soul in the preparation of NEET. These students may not score well in their boards, but end up becoming the toppers of NEET. Cancelling NEET 2020 abruptly will not be fair to these students. Also, NEET being the only entrance test for admission to MBBS courses in India, these students do not want to jeopardise their chances of getting into the top medical institutions in India. 

Stress and Demotivation

Deferment of the NEET 2020 exam dates have caused stress and anxiety in the aspirants of NEET 2020. They feel that they do not need the extra months for NEET preparation, stating that these extra months are only adding to their anxiety. They feel that studying the same topics over and over is demotivating. They want NEET 2020 to be conducted on September 13, bringing an end to their misery. 

The virus is not going to disappear 

Experts believe that the virus will not disappear overnight, and might stay with us for months. If this is the case, postponing NEET 2020 to December or next year will not be beneficial. Students believe that the same situation will arise if the examination was postponed further, only adding to the distress of the students who have spent years on NEET preparation.

Belief in the authorities and the SOP by AIIMS

The experts at AIMS have drafted a standard operating procedure for conducting NEET 2020. The institute was able to conduct its entrance examinations successfully on June 11, following the same protocol. Students, therefore, have faith in the SOP drafted by AIIMS experts and are willing to appear for the examination on September 13. 

Read More: 

• NEET 2020: AIIMS experts draft SOP for exam day, question papers to come with masks
• NEET: Five Common Preparation Mistakes that Bring Your Score Down
• How to stay motivated during NEET preparation?