NEET 2019: Over 500 miss exam in Karnataka, while NTA postpones NEET in Odisha; What next? Students seek PM Modi's help

NEET 2019: On 4th May 2019, NTA had to postpone NEET 2019 for the students of Odisha in the wake of devastation created by Cyclone Fani.

NEET 2019: The National Testing Agency had organized National Eligibility cum Entrance Test (NEET) 2019 yesterday, however, the exam did not go smooth as planned. (Getty images)

NEET 2019: The National Testing Agency had organized National Eligibility cum Entrance Test (NEET) 2019 yesterday, however, the exam did not go smooth as planned. On 3^rd May 2019, just 2 days before the exam, NTA had rescheduled examination centres. On 4^th May 2019, NTA had to postpone NEET 2019 for the students of Odisha in the wake of devastation created by Cyclone Fani. The agency had released a public notice in this regard a day prior to the exam, that read,“On the request of the State Government of Odisha in the wake of Fani Cyclone, the NEET (UG) - 2019 Examination, which was scheduled to be held on 05.05.2019 (Sunday), has been postponed only for the Candidates having Examination Centres in Odisha until further notice.” While medical aspirants of the state of Odisha who are struggling with the aftermath of Cyclone Fani, might have got a sigh of relief with the deferment of NEET 2019; the candidates of North Karnataka travelling through Hampi Express, train number 16591 had least expected that their exam entry will be marred by delay in arrival. The students have now sought help from the Prime Minister. A number of students took to Twitter and addressed their grievances to Narendra Modi. While some have also raised the concern that if the exams are re-conducted, then how fair that would be for the other students. "Neet is #onenationoneexam re neet just for one state is not justify to us. we want re neet too as students from karnatka and osidha will get extra days for prepration," an aspirant wrote on Twitter.

Respected @narendramodi , This is to bring to your notice that I was denied for sitting in the NEET examination on May 5, 2019 in the Jim corbett school, Agra by NTA's agents despite reaching before time over diabeties issues. Requesting you to refer to the attachments & HELP!! pic.twitter.com/ue60bYzZfh

— subodh (@subodh92713139) May 5, 2019

This would not happen if nta would delay the #neet exam. Students were restlessly Twitting but no response came from the higher authorities. If re-neet happens it should be for whole the nation as a fair justice #onenationoneexam .

— Deepsikha Jena (@JenaDeepsikha) May 6, 2019

sir, neet is #onenationoneexam re neet just for one state is not justify to us. we want re neet too as students from karnatka and osidha will get extra days for prepration.#NEET2019 #NEETUG2019 #NEET #RENEET https://t.co/GggzQWIZz7

— deepak singh (@deepaksingh_63) May 6, 2019

@PrakashJavdekar Sir, as u know due to delay in train/changes in exam centres more than 500 students frm NorthKarnataka hv missd NEET exams yestrdy.I urge you/ministry 2make immdt arrangemnts n give chance 2write exams again.Students future is at stake for no mistakes of theirs. pic.twitter.com/rY3s1ubyzy

— SHARADA???? (@Sharada_naik) May 6, 2019

The reporting time for the NEET UG 2019 was 12 noon while the time for closing the gates of the examination centres was 1:30 pm. The aforementioned train reached Bengaluru station at 2:30 pm, more than 7 hours late from its scheduled time of arrival at 7 am. The South Western Railways has clarified that the delay was caused due to the ongoing repairs work at Guntkal, South Central Division. The PRO, South Western Railways has requested MHRD to re-conduct the medical entrance test for the students affected due to delay of Hampi Express.

South Western Railway PRO: We will write to Ministry of HRD to re-conduct the NEET exam for students, who were travelling in the Hampi Express and missed their exam due to a delay in train reaching the destination.

— ANI (@ANI) May 5, 2019

The students who’ve been affected by the delay of Hampi Express are demanding a re-exam. Chief Minister, Shri H D Kumaraswamy has put forward his request for the NEET 2019 re-exam via Twitter, stating, “I request PM @narendramodi, Rail Minister @PiyushGoyal, @HRDMinistry , @PrakashJavdekar to intervene and ensure that students who have missed the opportunity today get another chance to write the #NEET2019 Exam.”

Hundreds of students from North Karnataka districts have missed the #NEET Exam being held today at Bengaluru due to a 7-hour delay of the Hampi Express. A last-minute change in the exam centres and lack of proper communication of the same has created confusion among students. .

— CM of Karnataka (@CMofKarnataka) May 5, 2019

Earlier last week, students of NSUI, Goa had sent a request to the President, Prime Minister and MHRD to postpone NEET 2019 for areas that have been marred by Cyclone Fani. While NTA has given its nod to reconduct NEET 2019 for the students of Odisha, it wont be wrong if the re-exam can be held jointly with the students of North Karnataka, who could not appear for the NEET 2019 due to delay in railway services.