Union Education Minister Ramesh Pokhriyal Nishank on Thursday said that the suggestion of JEE (Main) 2021 to be held four times in a year is being examined on a positive note and if implemented then such a pattern will begin in the end of February (thereafter in March, April & May-2021) for 3-4 days during each time.
The Education Minister said this while speaking about a host of issues during his virtual interaction with teachers, parents and students across the country on the upcoming competitive and board exams.
Nishank stated that in order to provide flexibility and reduce stress, engineering aspirants may have to appear one/ two/ three/ four times in JEE (Main) 2021 for admission in the coming academic year.
The Minister stated that the exam will be held once in every month, beginning end of February. The candidate will have option to appear in one/ all months. For ranking of candidate, his/ her best performance will be considered, he informed.
In a question relating to syllabus and dates of NEET, the Minister clarified that the schedule for NEET (UG) 2021 is being finalized in consultation with the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare and National Medical Commission (NMC). The same would be declared in near future, he said.
Nishank further said that the syllabus for JEE (Main 2021) will remain same as the previous year.
He also mentioned that competitive exams such as NEET and JEE were held successfully and safety of each and every student undertaking the exam was also ensured amidst the Covid pandemic.Speaking on the occasion, Nishank said that the students are the brand ambassadors of the National Education Policy-2020.
He also expressed happiness that a toll free tele-counselling facility for the students was started by the Ministry, providing counselling services to students in India and several countries abroad.
Informing about the Board Examinations of class 10th and class 12th, the Minister said that the consultations with the stakeholders are in progress for deciding the dates of Board examinations and it will be announced soon based on the feedback from stakeholders.
During the interaction on the safety with students Reopening of Schools for the students appearing for boards, Pokhriyal said that the Department of School Education and Literacy, Ministry of Education has already issued SOP/Guidelines for reopening of schools which deals with health and safety aspects for reopening schools and learning with physical/social distancing and the academic aspects related to the delivery of education. Ministries are constantly in contact with states, he added.