NEET 2020: Kerala Demands Exam Centres in Gulf Countries, Asks for PM's Intervention

Disruption in flights and mandatory quarantine is making things difficult for NRI/PIO/OCI students desirous of appearing for NEET 2020. Kerala CM, Pinarayi Vijayan, supports their demand for local test centres.

Pinarayi Vijayan, the Chief Minister of Kerala, has expressed his concern for the Indian expat students residing in the gulf countries. Owing to the COVID-19 situation in India and the resultant travel ban, these students will not be able to fly back to India to appear for the competitive examinations such as NEET. The Chief Minister has demanded that the government arranges for NEET exam centres in gulf countries to enable these students to attempt the examination. He has also sought the intervention of the Prime Minister in this matter.

NEET 2020 is scheduled to be held on July 26. The examination is conducted offline and is mandatory for taking admission to any undergraduate medical course in India. Despite being open for NRI/OCI/PIO students, the NEET 2020 exam centres are located only in India. Such candidates have to travel to India to be able to appear for the examination. However, due to the outbreak of coronavirus all over the world travelling has become a challenge. There is also a mandatory quarantine period of 15 days upon arrival in any country. These and many other challenges have forced those residing outside India to request for local test centres in their country.

Out of the estimated 16 lakh applicants, nearly 300 are from UAE alone. These students had signed a petition, earlier this month, demanding a centre in UAE for NEET 2020. However, there is no official word from NTA on adding new test centres for NEET 2020.

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