NEET registration begins, exam on May 5 from 2pm

NEW DELHI: Aspirants of NEET (UG) 2019 will not have to face the morning rush hour as the test will be conducted from 2pm onwards. The National Testing Agency (NTA) which will be conducting the entrance test for MBBS/ BDS has made the change in timing of the test so that the candidates don't get caught in early morning traffic.

The online registration process started on Thursday and would continue throughout the month till November 30, 2018. The test is scheduled for May 5, 2019. On the opening day of the registration disability right activists however demanded a stop to the process calling it discriminatory because of the incomplete information given in NEET (UG) 2019 as well as ministry of health and family welfare, MCI and MCC websites.

NEET (UG) will continue to be in pen-paper mode and this will be the only test to be conducted by NTA offline. However, other processes from registration to issue of admit cards will be conducted online. This is the first time that the registration process is taking place so early.

"Doctors with Disabilities: Agents of Change" wrote to the MHRD, ministry of health, MCI and the NTA alleging that the modified MCI guidelines are yet to be ratified and approved by MoHFW and MCI board of governors. Dr Satendra Singh, disability rights activist said: "It is discriminatory for the NTA to start the online application process as there is no clarity yet on guidelines for candidates with disabilities. This will give undue advantage to non-disabled candidates."

A senior NTA official said, "All disabilities under the 2016 Act are eligible to apply and take the test. There will be no discrimination."