Around 23,000 students across the State appeared the National Eligibility-cum-Entrance Test (NEET) which was conducted for the first time across the country for admission into MBBS and BDS courses, while around 80,000 students appeared the Diploma Entrance Test (DET) conducted at various centres in and outside the State on Sunday.
The DET was conducted in 170 examination centres across the country. The students appeared the examination in two sittings. The first sitting began at 10 am and continued till 12.30 pm, while the second sitting was held between 2 pm and 4 pm. The lateral entry students appeared the second sitting.
Video footage of valuation of the answer scripts and other processes would be taken to maintain transparency, said Department of Technical Education and Training Secretary CS Kumar, adding, “For the first time, 30 per cent seats would be reserved for girl students in the private and Government colleges of the State.”
As per a schedule, DET result would be declared on June 15, while the lateral entry students’ result would be announced on May 20, said the officials.
Similarly, on the same day, around 23,000 medical aspirants from across the State appeared the NEET for the first time. In the new pattern, the students answered 180 questions containing a total of 720 marks. The test began at 10 am and continued till 1 pm at three locations, including Bhubaneswar, Rourkela and Koraput.
As per the Central Government’s new guidelines, 85 per cent seats in medical colleges are reserved for the candidates of respective States and the rest 15 per cent would be filled up according to all-India rank. Odisha has a total of 600 seats for MBBS and 150 for BDS programme. “So the aspirants who get State ranks would come under OJEE counseling,” said NEET State nodal officer Sitaram Mohapatra.
The NEET was conducted by the Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE). The result of the test would be declared by June first week, said CBSE regional head Anand Singh Burma.