JEE 2020 Exam Tomorrow: How Exam Amid Pandemic Poses Challenge For Both Students & Govt

Around 8.67 lakh candidates who have registered for the entrance exam are likely to appear for the test which would be held from Tuesday, September 1, 2020 till September 6, 2020 across India at different time slots.

Representational Image/ (Photo by Mohammed HUWAIS / AFP)

Despite massive stir raised by lakhs of students, parents and politicians demanding postponement of exams, the National Testing Agency (NTA) is set to conduct the Joint Entrance Exam (JEE) and National Eligibility cum Entrance Test (NEET) as per the schedule. Around 8.67 lakh candidates who have registered for the entrance exam are likely to appear for the test which would be held from Tuesday, September 1, 2020 till September 6, 2020 across India at different time slots. Challenge For Students & Government As India Records 36,21,245 COVID-19 Cases It is to be noted that the exams are being conducted at the time when India is fighting a Coronavirus pandemic. India registered 78,512 cases in the last 24 hours (Sunday, August 30), pushing the total COVID-19 Tally to 36,21,245. As per the latest health bulletin, there are as many as 7,81,975 active cases in the country. The figures pose a great challenge to both the government as well as the students as the risk of contracting the deadly COVID-19 continues to prevail in the society. Moreover, many students residing in remote places may face hardship in travelling as the government buses are accommodating fewer passengers. However Union Education Minister Ramesh Pokhriyal 'Nishank' on Sunday assured students and parents that the Education Ministry is fully prepared for safe conduct of both these exams and is committed to ensuring the safety of the students. Here How Centre & State Governments Have Planned To Face The Challenge Proper Sanitization At Exam Centres: Before each shift starts (and after last shift of the candidate) seating area will be thoroughly sanitized - monitor keyboard, mouse, webcam, desk and the chair. Candidates can further sanitize the same with sanitizers that will be made available in the examination lab/room/hall. Hand Sanitizers & Masks To Be Provided By Govt: Candidate will be offered a fresh 3 Ply mask before entry. In order to stop chances of any UFM being used in the examination, the candidate is expected to wear the freshly provided mask at the centre. Besides masks, the government has also ensured the availability of Hand Sanitizers at various locations in the exam centre. Candidates and staff members will be required to sanitize hands by washing with soap and with Hand Sanitizer before entry in centre. Thermal Screening: At time of entry, body temperature of staff, invigilators and students will be checked using Thermo Guns. In case, any staff person and candidate is observed to be having above normal temperature or displaying any symptom of COVID-19 suspect, they will be placed in separate Isolation Room. Candidates will be allowed to write their exam in isolation rooms. Touch-Free Functioning: Frisking through Handheld Metal Detector (HHMD) will be carried out without touching body. Rough sheets will be kept at all desks before start of exam by invigilators wearing gloves to ensure hygiene. Free Transport In Odisha: The Odisha Chief Secretary AK Tripathy on Friday announced that all candidates who are appearing for the JEE Main and NEET 2020 in the month of September, will be provided with free-of-cost transport and accommodation to reduce the difficulties amid coronavirus pandemic.