Will NTA Postpone NEET 2021? Know Chances Here

Will NTA Postpone NEET 2021?

Despite NEET 2021 date being announced after a long delay, NEET aspirants are not happy with the exam date, which is September 12. Ever since the announcement of the exam date on July 12, a large group of medical aspirants are demanding the postponement of NEET 2021 to October or late September. The primary reasons include a change in the NEET exam pattern and clash with other important exams that NEET aspirants also plan to take. Drawing attention towards the National Testing Agency (NTA) and the Ministry of Education, students are trending #ShiftNEETUG and #PostponeNEETUGtoOctober on Twitter and other social media platforms.

Despite the virtual protest, NTA or the Ministry of Education has not responded. Rather, NTA is conducting the NEET exam conducting processes in an expedited manner. The pertinent question is, will NTA postpone NEET exam? In this article of Shiksha, we will weigh the possibilities of NTA deferring the biggest and single entrance exam for undergraduate medical and allied course admissions.

Will NTA Postpone NEET 2021?

Going by the current scenario, the chances of NTA postponing NEET 2021 further seems bleak. There has already been over a month’s delay in the exam date as compared to the original exam date announced in March, which was August 1. Now the exam authorities would not prefer delaying the exam date further as it would impact the admission cycle 2021-22 even further. Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, NEET was conducted in September last year as well which had deferred the admission process.

Also Read: Here’s How Delay in NEET 2020 Affected Academic Session of Medical Colleges in India

As far as the clash with dates is concerned, NTA is trying to change the schedule of the other NTA led exams which are conflicting with NEET exam date. For instance, NTA has preponed the last day of the three-day window ICAR AIEEA UG date from September 13 to September 9. As far as the other exams are concerned, students can still manage the NEET preparation since the main subjects and the syllabus are similar. Hence, apart from the mental preparation and travel, there would not be a requirement of a separate preparation.

Ever since the release of the NEET 2021 information brochure and application forms, NTA has been conducting each and every procedure prompt manner. The NEET application process has been concluded and the application correction window of three days has also been closed, even after extending the deadlines. In fact, as per reports, over 16 lakh candidates have applied for the exam, which is a record high number over the past few years. Since each and every event is being conducted as per schedule, it is unlikely that NTA will postpone NEET 2021 any further.

Ahead of releasing the NEET admit card, NTA has released information on candidates’ NEET exam centre city allotment and OMR sheet filling instructions for candidates’ convenience so that they can be prepared in advance. It is evident that NTA is taking every step possible to ensure that candidates do not face any inconvenience in terms of making logistical arrangements or by knowing the exam instructions in advance.

The major reason why NEET 2021 was postponed in the first place was due to the surge in the number of COVID-19 cases. At present, the number of cases across the country has reduced considerably and NTA will try to complete the exam conducting procedure within the scheduled date. Moreover, with NEET 2021 exam centres located in 202 cities across India and abroad, NTA has already made massive arrangements for the exam date. Deferment of the exam date would mean double

NTA and other exam authorities are conducting other top entrance exams such as JEE Main, which indicates the feasibility of conducting exams with a high number of test-takers. The exam authority has also increased the number of exam centres to manage the exam in a better way, by following the COVID-19 safety protocols.

Why NTA May Postpone NEET?

Even though the chances are low, there are a few factors that may result in NTA postponing NEET 2021.

In case the volume of candidate protests and requests to postpone the NEET 2021 increases, then NTA might consider changing the date of the exam. In case that happens, NTA would consider the candidates’ demands and if they find those reasons justified enough, then only a decision to defer the NEET 2021 exam date.

As compared to the past few months, the number of COVID-19 cases has reduced. However, according to medical experts, the pandemic’s third wave is impending and it may hit in September or October. In case, the number of coronavirus cases surges by mid-September, then NTA may postpone the exam. A similar incident happened with NEET PG, which was originally scheduled on April 18 but was postponed for almost five months even after the release of the admit card. Hence, the possibility cannot be ruled out in case the pandemic situation worsens.

As far as the current scenario is concerned, the NEET 2021 application process has been closed, with over 16 lakh applications received. The NEET 2021 admit card is scheduled to be released on September 9.

Read More:

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