NEET 2020 exam was postponed due to the COVID-19 scare across the country. The new date for NEET 2020 was announced by NTA after assessing the situation on July 3. NEET 2020 will now be held on September 13, 2 pm to 5 pm. After the examination is held, the candidate will be able to download the answer key of NEET 2020. Post declaration of result by NTA, the counselling for NEET 2020 will be held on both national and state levels. To know more about the NEET application form, eligibility criteria, dress code, participating institutes, etc., read the complete article below.

Why was NEET 2020 exam date revised again?

Ever since the authorities announced that NEET 2020 would be conducted on July 26, there was uncertainty around these dates. There was unrest in the student community about the exam being conducted during an ongoing pandemic. The student community actively protested against the examination being conducted in July 26, Twitter being one of the platforms. The final decision with respect to NEET 2020 exam date was announced on July 3.

Some of the reasons stated by the students while staging protests against the NEET 2020 exam dates were: 

Increase in the number of COVID-19 cases: Looking at the rising number of cases, many candidates may be infected by July 26, or maybe quarantined. Some students reside in containment areas. Not allowing these students to appear for NEET 2020 would have been an injustice to them. Allowing them would expose the other test takers to the risk of getting infected. 

Transportation: Public transportation had largely taken the hit of the COVID-19 pandemic. Many candidates will have to travel on the NEET 2020 exam date to reach the centres. Some cities have a mandatory quarantine period for those deboarding trains and buses. 

Fear and Anxiety: Many candidates feared that they may contract the virus on NEET 2020 exam day. Their parents also had the same fears. 

Why was NEET 2020 exam date revised again?

Ever since the authorities announced that NEET 2020 would be conducted on July 26, there was uncertainty around these dates. There was unrest in the student community about the exam being conducted during an ongoing pandemic. The student community actively protested against the examination being conducted in July 26, Twitter being one of the platforms. The final decision with respect to NEET 2020 exam date was announced on July 3.

Some of the reasons stated by the students while staging protests against the NEET 2020 exam dates were: 

Increase in the number of COVID-19 cases: Looking at the rising number of cases, many candidates may be infected by July 26, or maybe quarantined. Some students reside in containment areas. Not allowing these students to appear for NEET 2020 would have been an injustice to them. Allowing them would expose the other test takers to the risk of getting infected. 

Transportation: Public transportation had largely taken the hit of the COVID-19 pandemic. Many candidates will have to travel on the NEET 2020 exam date to reach the centres. Some cities have a mandatory quarantine period for those deboarding trains and buses. 

Fear and Anxiety: Many candidates feared that they may contract the virus on NEET 2020 exam day. Their parents also had the same fears. 

Also Read: 

• NEET syllabus may be reduced by 30 per cent in 2021
• Download NEET 2020 information brochure

NEET 2020 Highlights

NEET 2020 Important dates and events

NEET Eligibility Criteria 2020

The National Testing Agency has prescribed the eligibility criteria for NEET 2020. All those who wish to apply for the entrance test are advised to check if they fit into the criteria specified by NTA.

Candidates who fulfil the following parameters are eligible for NEET 2020:

Nationality:

• Indian Nationals,
• Non-Resident Indians (NRIs)
• Overseas Citizen of India (OCI)
• Persons with Indian Origin (PIO)
• Foreign Nationals

Age Limit:

• The minimum age of a candidate as on December 31, 2020, should be 17 years
• The rule specifying the maximum age limit of the candidate was challenged last year in the court of law. Thus, there is no upper age limit as of now and candidates older than 25 years of age applying for NEET 2020 will be provisionally admitted subject to the ruling of the High Court of Delhi.

Minimum qualification:

• Candidate must have cleared Class 12 or equivalent from a recognized institute
• Candidates who are appearing for Class 12 or equivalent in summer 2020 can also apply for NEET 2020.
• Candidates who have completed Class 12 or equivalent from an open school are also eligible

Mandatory subjects:

• Candidate must have cleared Class 12 or equivalent with Physics, Chemistry and Biology.
• Candidates who have passed Class 12 or equivalent with Biology as an additional subject are also eligible

Minimum marks required in the qualifying examination:

• General category: 50%
• PWD category: 45%
• SC/ST/OBC: 40%