NEET 2021, JEE Main will not be Cancelled: Education Minister

Last academic year too, Mr Pokhriyal announced JEE Main, NEET exam dates, and several other major announcements through live interactions across social media platforms.

Education Minister Dr Ramesh Pokhriyal Nishank conducted a live session through his official Twitter and Facebook handle in order to answer queries related to NEET 2021 exam, JEE Main and Board Exams 2021. While answering about the decided schedule for the competitive and board exams, the minister said, "We have taken decisions based on the situation in the past and in case the situation does not improve in the near future, we will allow more time for students for their competitive exams." While responding to a student's request regarding the reduction of the NEET 2021 syllabus along with JEE Main and postponement of the exams due to the pandemic, the minister also stated that many students have been demanding the conduct of JEE and NEET more than twice a year, and they will discuss these with stakeholders.

Earlier, Mr Pokhriyal asked the National Testing Agency (NTA) to discuss with state boards before finalising the syllabus for entrances. Meanwhile, CBSE has already reduced their syllabus by 30 per cent and most entrance exams are based on class 11 and 12 board exam syllabus. Answering to another question on the CBSE board exams, the minister said, “We will ensure you get enough time to prepare based on the new format. We are with you.” He said that the dates will be announced for CBSE board exams only after assessing the situation and the norm of holding exams in March is not mandatory. Pokhriyal further added that the practical exams dates will not clash with the entrance examination." The minister also said that multiple attempts for JEE, NEET 2021 can be considered, based on the situation, replying to another question.

The minister also clarified that the authorities have no plans to cancel the competitive exams. Also, while talking about the mode of conduction of NEET 2021 exam, the minister said that NEET 2020 was conducted offline amid the ongoing pandemic. However, if the students want NEET to be conducted online, then a meeting will surely be conducted to discuss the possibilities. 

Last academic year too, Mr Pokhriyal announced JEE Main, NEET exam dates, and several other major announcements through live interactions across social media platforms. He also answered several queries raised by stakeholders during the interactions. This time too, stakeholders were asked to raise questions if any by writing with hashtag #EducationMinisterGoesLive.