Jubilee Post News & Views
Jubilee News Desk
Despite widespread opposition, JEE (Main) for admission to IITs started today.
The exams – a crucial event in the academic calendar of lakhs of IIT and medical aspirants – have already been postponed twice. On Friday a last-gasp challenge was mounted by six opposition-ruled states, who asked the top court for a review of its order. Students, activists and the governments of several non-BJP ruled states had opposed conducting the exams citing pandemic.
The exams – JEE is from September 1 to 6 and NEET for medical courses on September 13. Over one lakh students are expected to appear for the exam in Uttar Pradesh.
Last week the National Testing Agency (NTA), which is in charge of conducting competitive entrance tests across the country, released an extensive list of guidelines and rules for students taking the exam.
These include mandatory use of face masks and gloves, as well as carrying individual supplies of hand sanitiser and a water bottle. Candidates will be required to wash their hands with soap and water before entering the exam centre.
The NTA said entrance to the exam centre (and reporting times) will be staggered and that students will have to clear thermal scans. There will be “isolation rooms” for candidates whose body temperature is above a prescribed limit. The NTA has also sought a self-declaration that says candidates do not have any symptoms or suffer from Covid or have not been in touch with a Covid-positive person.
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As of 6 PM Monday over 12.75 lakh students had downloaded admit cards for NEET (National Eligibility cum Entrance Exam). A further 7.78 lakh students had downloaded the JEE (Joint Entrance Exam) admit cards. According to the NTA the total number of students registered for NEET is nearly 16 lakh. Around 8.58 lakh have registered for JEE.
Last week the chief ministers of six opposition-ruled states – Bengal, Jharkhand, Rajasthan, Chhattisgarh, Punjab and Maharashtra – approached the Supreme Court asking for a review of its August 17 order allowing the exams.
