In what seems to be an end to the never-ending confusion of medical aspirants, the Human Resource Development (HRD) Ministry may reconsider its decision to conduct medical entrance exam NEET twice a year, following recommendations from the Health Ministry, as reported by news agency Press Trust of India (PTI). The report says, the Health Ministry has written to the HRD Ministry, on the additional pressure it would put on students if the medical entrance exam is conducted twice a year.
Earlier, HRD Minister Prakash Javadekar on July 30, during the Question Hour in Parliament, clarified that the medical and engineering exams will be conducted in computer based mode, not in online mode. The students will have to reply on already downloaded answer sheets using a computer mouse. The minister has also said the government is also considering to allow students take the test using paper answer sheets during the transitional first year. The Health Ministry has also raised concerns for the students living in the rural areas, who may suffer if the exam is conducted only in the online mode.
The disquiet over NEET exam came after the HRD Ministry, last month, decided to conduct it twice a year alongside engineering entrance exam Joint Entrance Exam (JEE) main. The exams, as per the ambitious plan of HRD, will be conducted by the newly formed National Testing Agency (NTA).
The ministry has also announced the tentative dates for the exams, according to which, the NEET-UG is scheduled for February, 2019 with a repeat in May, 2019, reported PTI.
(With Inputs From Agencies)
