Kerala: PIL seeks NEET exam centres in Middle East

KOCHI: A public interest litigation (PIL) has been filed before the Kerala High Court seeking a directive to the central government to sanction exam centres for National Eligibility cum Entrance Test-Under Graduate (NEET) in the Middle East as candidates won't be able to travel due to Covid-19 quarantine requirements.
The exam is now scheduled to be held on July 26th.
The PIL was filed by Abdul Azeez of Kozhikode, who is the general secretary of Kerala Muslim Cultural Centre (KMCC) in Qatar, through advocates Haris Beeran and Nuriya OA. NEET, which is the entrance exam for admission to undergraduate medical and dental courses in India, is conducted by the National Testing Agency (NTA).
Seeking for a directive to set up exam centres in Qatar and other Middle Eastern countries, the petitioner pointed out that parents of several distressed students have sent requests to the NTA and the central government.
A reply was received by stating that no decision has been taken and that parents have to check announcements online.
It is contended in the PIL that NTA's decision to conduct NEET exams without allowing students stranded abroad to appear for the exam is arbitrary, discriminatory, and in violation of fundamental rights.
The students have been preparing for the NEET exam for two-three years and have spent a lot of money in coaching institutions, the PIL said.
An admission hearing on the PIL is expected on Wednesday.