Parents association writes to education minister seeking NEET-UG postponement

Following the Supreme Court rejecting a petition demanding rescheduling of the NEET-UG Exam, an association of parents have sent their representation to the Union Education Minister, Dharmendra Pradhan requesting rescheduling of NEET-UG 2021.

On September 6, the Supreme Court of India rejected a plea seeking postponement of the medical entrance examination and suggested that those who want change in the date can approach the competent authority.

SukhPal Singh Toor founder of the NCR Parents Association has submitted a representation to the Education Ministry stating that the National Eligibility cum Entrance Test (NEET) exam date clashes with other exams and the COVID-19 pandemic is far from over.

The letter to the education minister reads: “We have connected together because of common request for delaying Exam scheduled from 12th September to a suitable time when it is conducive for holding examinations all over the country.”

Problems faced by students

As per the association, the sudden change in the exam pattern just prior to two months before the exam has caused stress among students. “We need some more time to adapt ourselves to the new exam pattern since this is the medical entrance exam held across the country only once a year for admission to Medical Colleges across India,” reads the letter.

The NEET-UG 21 exam dates are very near to other state-level tests and board examinations. The association has stated that students can face various problems regarding travel issues to the centre for exams on consecutive days. Different formats require different alignment and fine-tuning of approaches. The existing schedule virtually nullifies the opportunity to appear in subsequent exams for a student.

Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE) will also be holding improvement exams and private exams between August 16- September 15, and parents are of the view that students appearing for board exams and NEET exams will be excluded. It states: Eligibility clauses in information brochure released by National Testing Agency would demonstrate the same.”

Another reason highlighted by the association is around floods in different parts of the country, according to them floods and lockdown in various parts of the country would be a major issue in transportation. Bus and train capacity is presently operating only at 50%. Students have to afford private vehicles for transportation which many cannot afford because of high costs.

The parents in their letter to the education minister have also stated that every year at least 15 - 20 days were given before the NEET UG exam for downloading admit cards because the number of students in NEET is above 15 lakh but this year only three days is given which is inadequate for students to get their admit card and make arrangements for travel to exam centres.

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