NEET postponed in view of rising number of COVID-19 cases: Harsh Vardhan

New Delhi: In view of a spike in the number of COVID-19 cases, the National Eligibility-Cum-Entrance test (NEET), which was scheduled to be held on April 18, has been postponed, Union Health Minister Harsh Vardhan said on Thursday.

“In light of the surge in #COVID19 cases, GoI has decided to postpone #NEETPG2021 exam which was earlier scheduled to be held on Apr 18. Next date to be decided later. Decision has been taken keeping wellbeing of our young medical students in mind,” he said in a tweet.

NEET-PG 2021 is scheduled on April 18.

The move came after a group of student doctors moved the Supreme Court demanding a postponement of the exam. A Supreme Court bench headed by CJI SA Bobde will hear the matter tomorrow.

The exam is conducted by the National Board of Examination, which also released admit cards for the exam.

With the CBSE cancelling Class X board exams due to an alarming surge in coronavirus cases, DMK chief M K Stalin on Thursday wondered if it was the ‘right’ time to conduct the National Eligibility Cum Entrance Test (NEET) for Post Graduate courses.

In a tweet, Stalin, whose party is a vocal critic of NEET, pointed out at the cancellation of CBSE class X exams “due to the second wave” of covid-19.

“CBSE exams have now got cancelled due to the second wave of #COVID19. With increasing cases and fatalities, when our doctors are fighting hard against all odds, is this the right time to hold National Eligibility Cum Entrance Test (NEET) for PG courses,” Stalin, Leader of Opposition in the Tamil Nadu Assembly, said.