"7.5 lakh out of 8.58 lakh candidates in JEE have downloaded their admit cards. For NEET, over 10 lakh out of 15.97 lakh have downloaded their admit cards in 24 hours. It shows that students want that exams are held at any cost," said Union Education Minister Ramesh Pokhriyal on Thursday, defending the decision of the government to conduct NEET and JEE in the midst of the coronavirus pandemic.
The minister's comments come against the backdrop of a growing chorus for postponement of the medical and engineering entrance exams in view of spike in COVID-19 cases.
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While the National Eligibility cum Entrance Test (NEET) is scheduled to be held on September 13, engineering entrance exam JEE-Main has been planned from September 1-6.
These exams have already been deferred twice in the wake of the coronavirus pandemic.
The education ministry informed that National Testing Agency (NTA) has made adequate arrangements for maintaining social distancing norms in the examinations centre for JEE (Mains) and NEET (UG).
"For ensuring social distancing outside the examination hall, the entry and exit of candidates has been staggered. Adequate arrangements have also been made outside the examination centres to enable candidates to stand with adequate social distancing while waiting," said the NTA statement.
