NATIONAL ELIGIBILITY CUM ENTRANCE TEST NEET (UG) is basically the All India Pre-Medical Test for students who wish to pursue medical courses like MBBS, BDS, & AYUSH (BAMS, BUMS, BHMS etc). This exam is conducted once a year by the National Testing Agency and is a single entrance test. This year, almost 18.5 lakh students registered for NEET.
What is the present demand of NEET Aspirants
Students from across the country have written to PM Narendra Modi and Education Minister DP Pradhan with a request for the postponement of NEET UG. However, student activist and founder of ALL INDIA JEE NEET STUDENTS ASSOCIATION (AIJNSA), Himashu Bohra, also wrote a letter to the PM regarding the postponement of NEET UG.
Recently IWPA has asked the PM to consider this delay in view of “less preparation time”.
Many leaders, like Housing Minsiter of Mahrashtra, Jitendra Ahwad, came out in support of the students, saying, “The government should investigate the situation and determine whether it is worthwhile to postpone the exam in light of the student’s request.”
He went on to say, “After all, they are the country’s future.”
#JusticeforNEETUG has been trending for three days across the country, with over 12 lakh tweets.
NSUI (National Student’s Union of India) also came out in support of NEET UG students. In a tweet, NSUI said, “1#NEETUG is the only entrance exam for MBBS & which is conducted only once a year, So it should be scheduled in a way as everyone will get a fair chance. Students are just seeking postponement by 4-6 weeks so that they can prepare well.”
Meanwhile, some aspirants have also wrote to Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan.
Govt Response towards NEET aspirants
It’s sad to see that students have been demanding for at least 2 months and the government is still not responding. However, NTA claimed that they had received numerous letters from activists, students, and parents’ associations. But they also did not respond in the student’s favour. Students have been pleading with NTA and other authorities to consider their requests, but no student has yet come forward confirming that the authorities have replied.
Why NEET aspirants are demanding Postponement?
Here are some concerns:
As NEET UG aspirants are scheduled to appear for it on July 17, they are urging authorities to postpone it by another 30-45 days.
- Aspirants didn’t get enough time to prepare.
- Multiple tests around the same time
Now the question arises, why are they saying they have less time? Let’s understand this briefly.
Last year’s exam was held on September 12, 2021. Results were announced on November 1st. After that, the process of counselling starts, which is usually completed in 2-3 months, but this year it took 6 months to complete. The main issue is that many students waited till the last round and didn’t get medical seats. Besides, droppers from last year have said that the counselling process for NEET 2021 ended late, thus leaving the students less time to prepare. Students have to take to the social media platform, Twitter, to put forth their demands with the hashtags. # PostponeNEETUG # JusticeForNEETUG
Major entrance examinations clashing with NEETUG, such as CUET, which is expected to be held in the first and second weeks of July. EAMCET exams are scheduled on July 14, 15, 18, 19, & 20. However, a large number of students taking both JEE MAINS (II session scheduled from 20th July to 30th July) and NEET UG with PCMB combination will be in trouble.
Impact on studies of aspirants
Various aspirants said that the syllabus of NEET UG IS CLASS XI & XII PCB, which is very vast. There are 98 chapters to study. And only studying won’t help. We also need to revise the chapters thoroughly. Also, NEET is conducted only once every year, so there is pressure to crack it in one go. People are facing high anxiety. To cover the syllabus, we must study 12–14 hours per day, and even then, it cannot be completely covered. 40 days is the least we can ask for.
Opinion
Postpone NEET UG at least 1 month for better preparation of students. After all, they are going to serve the nation. Please do those students a favor.
Ifhaam Jigar Dar is a staff reporter covering Education news for The Chenab Times.