SC refuses to alter JEE, NEET schedule

The Supreme Court on Monday refused to interfere with the conduct of medical and engineering entrance exams -- NEET and JEE —  scheduled to take place in September saying that life must go on and students can’t lose a precious year in the wake of Covid pandemic.

Dismissing a plea by one Sayantan Biswas seeking direction to National Testing Agency (NTA), which conducts both the NEET and JEE exams, to postpone them, Justice Arun Mishra, heading a three-judge bench, said that there was “absolutely" no merit in the plea.

"Life cannot be stopped. We have to move ahead with all safeguards and all... Are students ready to waste one whole year? Education should be opened up. Covid may continue for a year more. Are you going to wait another year? Do you know what the loss to the country and peril to the students is?" Justice Arun Mishra said.

The court took on record assurance by the NTA that all necessary precautions will be taken in view of Covid-19 pandemic.

The Institute of Chartered Accountants of India (ICAI) had on July 13 informed the Supreme Court of its decision to scrap the examination for chartered accountants scheduled to be held in July-August in the wake of worsening Covid pandemic.

Similarly, the CBSE and ICSE had on June 25 told the court about their decision not to hold examinations of remaining papers and award marks to students on the basis of their last three best papers they have already appeared for.