JEE Main-NEET 2020: Students want exams to be held, says Education Minister

Education Minister Ramesh Pokhriyal 'Nishank' said that with the number of admit cards being downloaded in the past few days, students want exams to be held at any cost.

Published on: 27 Aug 2020 12:17 PM GMT

JEE Main-NEET 2020: Students want exams to be held, says Education Minister

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Even after the Supreme Court has denied any postponement of the engineering and medical exams – JEE Main and NEET. The debate is still on on holding the entrance exams during the COVID-19 pandemic. Now, the Union Education Minister Ramesh Pokhriyal 'Nishank' said that with the number of admit cards being downloaded in the past few days, students want exams to be held at any cost.

"NTA DG told me that 7.5 lakhs out of 8.58 lakhs candidates in JEE have downloaded admit cards. For NEET, over 10 lakhs out of 15.97 lakhs candidates downloaded admit cards in 24 hours. It shows that students want that exams are held at any cost," Pokhriyal said.

Education Minister:

The education minister also mentioned that JEE exam centres have been increased to 660 from 570 while there are now 3,842 NEET centres, up from 2,546 for the convenience of students. Students have also been allotted exam centres of their choice.

A total of 15.97 lakh candidates have registered for the National Eligibility cum Entrance Test (NEET-UG) which is scheduled for September 13, said National Testing Agency official.

Moreover, a total of 7.41 lakh candidates out of 8.58 lakh have downloaded their admit cards for JEE-Mains till Tuesday evening. "Only 332 candidates have requested for change of their centre which is being considered positively," the official added.

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Earlier, commenting on Centre's decision to hold the exams, Pokhriyal on Wednesday said, “Students and guardians constantly put pressure on us to conduct the examinations."

He further added, "the Supreme Court of India also said that the full academic year cannot be wasted. After two deferments. examination dates have been finalised."

Opposition Leaders:

However, several opposition leaders in India including Congress' Sonia Gandhi and Rahul Gandhi, West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee, Odisha CM Naveen Patnaik, DMK president MK Stalin and Delhi Deputy Chief Minister Manish Sisodia joined the students and parents and have demanded that the exams be postponed.