Parents move to SC, demand NEET 2020 exam centres in Middle East countries

The Apex Court of India must ensure the safety of our children, say distress parents of the NEET 2020 aspirants residing in Middle Eastern countries while filing a plea in the Supreme Court of India.

After their plea for NEET 2020 exam centres in Gulf countries was declined by the Kerala High Court, the parents of nearly 4,000 students have moved to the Supreme Court of India. A plea for allotment of new exam centres in the Middle Eastern countries was filed on July 1. The parents have demanded that if the National Testing Agency (NTA) is unwilling to allot centres in the Gulf countries, it should postpone NEET 2020 exam date.

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These parents demand the court should step in and ensure the safety of their children who are being forced to travel to India amidst an ongoing pandemic. Also, the only means to reach India in the current scenario are the Vande Bharat flights. The number of flights operating from Middle Eastern countries is insufficient to carry all the students. Even if they manage to get a seat on these flights, they have to stay in the quarantine facilities for a minimum of fifteen days after arriving in India. Since NEET 2020 is scheduled to be held on July 26, they must reach India by July 11 if they wish to appear for the exam.

The parents are also worried that travelling in the current COVID-19 situation will expose their children to this virus. It will not only affect their physical health but the stress that they are being subjected to will also impact their mental health.

Also Read:

• NEET 2020 cannot be conducted online: NTA to Kerala HC
• Kerala Demands NEET 2020 Exam Centres in Gulf Countries, Asks for PM's Intervention

About the case in Kerala HC

A Public Interest Litigation (PIL) was filed in the Kerala HC on June 11. The PIL was filed by Abdul Azeez, General Secretary, Kerala Muslim Culture Centre (KMCC) Qatar. The PIL demanded NEET 2020 exam centres in gulf countries. In response to which, NTA had submitted that allocation of exam centres in these countries was not possible. The PIL was declined by the Kerala HC, which said that it cannot interfere with the decisions made my NTA and the Medical Council of India (MCI).

Read More:

• NEET 2020 should be conducted on July 26: Parents wrote to NTA
• Postpone NEET 2020 Exam Date: Parents’ Association of India to MoHFW