JEE, NEET on time, NTA assures student safety; number of exam centres increased

'99 per cent candidates to get their first choice of centre cities'

Tribune Web Desk

Updated At : 03:05 AM Aug 26, 2020 IST

Tribune News Service

New Delhi, August 25

The National Testing Agency on Tuesday assured safety of students and sought their cooperation to conduct JEE Mains and NEET UG exams in September this year.

Amid calls by several opposition parties seeking the postponement of the two competitive exams, NTA today said the exams will be held on time — JEE Mains (engineering entrance) from September 1 to 6 and NEET UG (MBBS entrance) on September 13 and that the number of exam centres had been increased for student safety and to maintain physical distancing due to COVID-19.

NTA said it has ensured more than 99 per cent candidates get their first choice of centre cities in both of these examinations. “The number of Examination Centers has also been increased from 570 to 660 (in case of JEE Main) and 2,546 to 3,843 (in case of NEET (UG) 2020. JEE (Main) is Computer-Based Test (CBT) and NEET (UG) is pen paper-based test. Additionally, in case of JEE (Main), the number of shifts has been increased from the earlier 8 to 12, and the number of candidates per shift has been reduced from earlier 1.32 lakh to 85,000 now,” said NTA.

While 8.58 lakh candidates have registered for JEE Mains, 15.97 lakh have been registered for NEET (UG) 2020.

To meet the social distancing requirements, there has been a substantial increase in the number of centres, NTA said assuring student safety.