NEET-JEE Exams 2020:  The National Testing Agency (NTA) has confirmed the dates and released the admit cards for the National Eligibility cum Entrance Test (NEET) and Joint Entrance Examination (JEE) admit cards. But the protests against these exams have not stopped. Several political leaders and activists have now joined to support students. On Wednesday, a virtual meeting was called by Congress interim President Sonia Gandhi where the ministers which included seven chief ministers also supported the calls for postponement of the exams. In fact, environmental activist Greta Thunberg also lent her support to students demanding postponement of NEET and JEE exams.

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The key reasons why students are demanding postponement

Health risks- Although the NTA has assured that strict Covid 19 precautions will be taken in exam centres, students are still worried about the risk of contracting the infection. According to the latest guidelines by the NTA some of the steps that will be taken include sanitisation of seating area before each shift starts (and after last shift of the candidate), fresh 3 Ply mask for every candidate before entry, no touching of the body while frisking through Handheld Metal Detector (HHMD) and availability of hand sanitizers at entry and inside the exam venue at various places for candidates and centre staff to use. The centres have also been increased, while the number of centres for JEE has been increased from 570 to 660, for NEET the number stands at 3,843, an increase from 2,546. But since there thousands of candidates are writing these exams, most students fear that the centers will face overcrowding and there will be a risk of virus transmission.

Transportation-  Due to heavy monsoons several states such as Bihar, Andhra Pradesh, and Telangana are facing floods. Some states are also observing lockdowns due to rapidly increasing coronavirus cases. Students have raised these issues and highlighted problems in travelling under such circumstances. According to many, travelling long distances to exam centres will be difficult.

Mental stress- Students have been preparing for these exams for a long time. Yet the difficulties have added to the stress of the exams. In a report by The News Minute, a student has said “Since this exam plays a big role in deciding the course of my future, I would like to write it in a peaceful scenario without the tension of logistics or infection.” Another student has said that 'exams should be postponed to a safer time because the government has not set any examples earlier in which they have adhered to the SOPs strictly.'

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But in spite of these reasons, several people including academicians have supported the government's decision to conduct the exams. On Wednesday, academicians, including professors from Delhi University, Jawaharlal Nehru University, Central University of Kerala, California University among several other top colleges have written to Prime Minister Modi, supporting the government’s decision of the timely conduct of JEE-NEET exams. The academicians have expressed hope that students will not lose a year.

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