JEE, NEET 2020 exam dates remain unchanged; examination to take place as scheduled in September

Despite several calls for postponement of the upcoming JEE, NEET 2020 examinations in the wake of novel coronavirus pandemic, the National Testing Agency confirmed that the competitive exams will take place as scheduled in September. 

"The Hon'ble Supreme Court has also, inter alia, ordered that we find that there is absolutely no justification in the prayer made for postponement of the examination in question relating to NEET UG-2020 as well as JEE (Main) April, 2020," the NTA notification stated. 

JEE, NEET 2020 exam dates 

1. JEE (Main) on 1-6 September 

2. NEET (UG) on 13 September 

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The announcement from NTA came days after the agency issued admit cards for JEE (Main) exams. The Admit Cards of NEET (UG) 2020 will also be released shortly, it stated. NTA also ensured that more than 99% candidates get their first choice of Centre Cities in both of these examinations. 

"Additionally, in case of JEE (Main), the number of shifts has been increased from the earlier 8 to 12, and the number of candidates per shift has been reduced from earlier 1.32 lakh to 85000 now," it further noted. 

Pressure from parents, students 

Education Minister Ramesh Pokhriyal Nishank has defended the move by saying that there was a "constant pressure from parents and students". In an interview to the government broadcaster DD News, Mr Nishank said 80 per cent students who will appear for JEE have already downloaded admit cards. 

"We have been under constant pressure from parents and students, asking why we are not allowing JEE and NEET. The students were very worried. In their minds they were thinking for how long will they continue to study?" the Education Minister said.