Govt to review situation next week for NEET-UG, JEE (Main) dates

NEW DELHI: The government will review the situation next week before it is likely to finalise new dates for the remaining two JEE (Main) tests, as well as take a decision on whether NEET-UG could be conducted on August 1, reports Manash Gohain.
The ministry of education will also decide on the fate of the Central University Common Entrance Test (CUCET) after CBSE announces the assessment scheme for the class XII boards. Due to surge in Covid-19 cases in April, the April and May editions of JEE (Main) were postponed and registration of NEET-UG which were supposed to commence from May 1 was kept in abeyance. According to a senior education ministry official, “A review meeting next week will assess the situation. Given the present situation, the NEET-UG is likely to be postponed.” After the cancellation of the class XII exams, concerns are being raised by experts on expected disparities in school level evaluation across the country, as well as challenges that universities are likely to face in normalising the differences in results prepared by school boards.
According to educationist Meeta Sengupta, “Universities should not wholly depend on school marks. A test, viva or interview, asking for more information on the achievements of the student in the application and special points given for awards, abilities and overcoming difficulties can be included. For this year, colleges can also give only online admissions, to be converted to full admissions after a test when conditions improve and regular classes start or subject to students clearing their first semester.”