NEET 2021 dates delayed, here's how it can affect admission process

An announcement on the NEET 2021 exam date could be made in the next 10-15 days, said Union Education Minister. 

A lot of speculations about the release of the NEET 2021 dates are making rounds over the internet. However, the latest reports suggest that the examination is likely to be conducted in the month of May.   The outbreak of the coronavirus pandemic adversely affected the academic calendar. While the teaching-learning process shifted online, the competitive exams such as NEET, JEE, etc. got delayed affecting the undergraduate admissions process.

It is a known fact that NEET is one of the most popular medical exams in India as it is a gateway to the medical courses in the top government/ private medical colleges of the country. Meanwhile, the Medical Counselling Committee (MCC) conducts NEET PG every year for 10,821 Master of Surgery (MS), 19,953 Doctor of Medicine (MD), and 1,979 PG Diploma seats at 6,102 institutions. Whereas, NEET MDS is conducted for admission to 6,501 seats - 50 percent all India quota (AIQ) and 50 percent state quota - in participating institutions

Due to the pandemic situation, 85-90 percent of 15.97 lakh candidates appeared for NEET 2020 exam. As the examination and the release of NEET 2020 results got delayed, NEET 2020 counselling is still on. Students who appeared for the medical entrance exam in the year 2020 are yet to grab seats in their desired courses. Meanwhile, the fresh batch of medical aspirants is still awaiting NEET 2021 dates. There are reports that states that the council is mulling to conduct NEET twice amid the pandemic keeping in mind the concern of the students as the dates are getting delayed.

During an interview, the Union Education Minister Ramesh Pokhriyal Nishank also stated, "An announcement on the medical entrance exam date could be made in the next 10-15 days."

Experts believe that the consequences of postponing the NEET dates can have serious repercussions on the admission process as well as the careers of many students. With NEET being the only way to MBBS and BDS courses in India, cancelling or postponing an examination with such a large participating population will have a huge impact. The exams are already delayed by 11 months putting a devastating impact on the overall process.

Read More:

• Maharashtra NEET UG 2020 Counselling: Last date for joining BDS courses via Mop-up IV round extended
• NEET Counselling 2020 Mop-up Round 2 begins for BDS admissions