S. Vishnu Sharma
NEET UG 2021 is now the subject of interest posing a big question as to when will it be conducted this year?
It is worth noting that Union Education Minister Ramesh Pokhriyal Nishank gave out the date for JEE Advanced 2021 exam a few days ago.
Post the announcement on JEE Advanced exam for this year, students and parents are now expecting a similar announcement with regards to NEET UG 2021.
It is only natural to have such expectation, says R. Ramamurthy, a biology teacher in a CBSE school. The exam is a gateway for a fantabulous career in the field of medicine.
The fact that NEET exam receives large number of applications every year is a proof enough of the fact, he says.
It is interesting to note NEET UG 2020 exam received over 14 lakh applications and nearly 13 lakh students appeared for the medical entrance exam held last year.
NEET UG 2021
Toeing on the samelines, another teacher K. Sailaja says the large number of candidates attending the NEET exam last year itself shows how popular the exam is.
Exam date
As of now there is no official announcement in connection with the dates of NEET UG 2021 exam.
But sources tracking the education sector point out there could be some announcement in the next couple of days.
Some announcement with regards to exam dates of NEET UG 2021 test could perhaps be made during the last week of January, says S. Vishwanathan, a retired school teacher.
Soon after that an official notification regarding the NEET UG 2021 will likely be released.
The best thing to do for students is to keep regularly visiting the official website for NEET UG 2021 exam run by National Testing Agency (NTA).
The official website for NEET UG exam is ‘https://ntaneet.nic.in/ntaneet/welcome.aspx’ Any updates regarding NEET UG 2021 will be posted there at the appropriate time.
The possible dates
Sources keenly observing the education sector in India feel if the things go as per the expectation, the notification is likely to be released by end of January or start of February.
The last date to submit application for NEET UG 2021 could be by end of February or start of April.
Admit cards could be released by mid of April 2021. NEET UG 2021 will likely be held in May this year.
While the result for NEET UG 2021 could tentatively be declared in first part of June this year, counselling is likely to begin by second week of June 2021.
However, students must also remember the above dates are just an expectation and a guesswork.
The actual dates, exam schedule of NEET UG 2021 can undergo a change on account of many factors.
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COVID-19 situation can also bring a change in the date and exam schedule.
Students and their parents are advised to follow the official website of the exam.
Class 12 exams
Board exams of class 12 will also determine as to when will NEET UG 2021 is to be conducted.
If there is a delay in conducting class 12 exams this year, there is all possibility of NEET UG 2021 getting postponed.
While classes for 12th standard are going online, it remains to be seen if portions could be completed in time.
Taking classes online has its own challenges, if portions are not completed on time, there could be a delay in conducting class 12 exams, which can lead to postponement of NEET UG 2021.
However, it would not be wise to jump to conclusion at this juncture. The best thing to do would be to wait and watch for announcements from authorities concerned.
Syllabus
It isnt exam date of NEET UG 2021 that is bothering one and all. Students and parents are equally bothered about the syllabus for the exam.
The question is will NEET UG 2021 be conducted based on actual syllabus or the reduced one. As of now there is no clarity on this issue.
And this has led to some confusion among the students aspiring for a good score in NEET UG 2021.
Will I have to prepare as per the original syllabus or the reduced one,’ asks T. Swetha, a 12th standard student.
CBSE has brought down the syllabus this year by 30 percent and that in a way fuelled speculation among the students that a similar reduction can be expected with regards to NEET UG 2021.
Since there is no clarification in this regard as of now, students are only put to worry.
M. Ramanathan, a biology tutor at a NEET coaching centre feels the lack of clarity in connection with the syllabus for NEET UG 2021 could mean worries for students.
Students will only be worried as to whether they have to prepare as per the actual syllabus or the reduced syllabus, says Ramanathan.
Many students are toeing on the samelines of thought.
What If I have learnt the lesson already and then I come to know that I need not prepare for it as that portion is among the reduced syllabus? Asks K. Madhumita, a 12th standard student.
It all depends on NEET UG 2021 exam date declaration, says Ramanathan.
The date for the test has to be set in a manner that there is enough time left for students to complete their portions and preparation.
This is true, says K. Gurumurthy, also a teacher for 12th class students.
Though the students will be learning less for their board exams owing to reduced syllabus, they will have to study all the lessons for NEET UG 2021 exam if there is no reduction in the syllabus, he says.
While sources say Union Education Minister has directed NTA to analyse the situation and bring out the revised syllabus for NEET UG 2021, education experts feel students can stick to the old pattern of preparation till some announcement is made in this regard.
Exam conducting
NTA conducted NEET UG 2020 following precautions owing to COVID-19 situation.
Number of candidates sitting in a hall was restricted to 12 instead of usual 24. The number of test centres for NEET was increased to 3,862 to enable adherence of safety precautions like physical distancing.
Now it remains to be seen as to how NEET UG 2021 will be conducted. Hope clarity prevails as time moves ahead.