Delhi sets up cooling zones for NEET aspirants’ parents at 97 exam centres
Ahead of the National Eligibility cum Entrance Test (NEET) scheduled to be held across the country on June 21, the Delhi Government has taken an unprecedented and humane initiative to make special arrangements not only for NEET aspirants but also for the parents accompanying them.
Chief Minister Rekha Gupta said that, for the first time, cooling zones are being set up at examination centres keeping in mind the comfort and convenience of parents and family members accompanying candidates. These zones will provide seating arrangements, clean drinking water, shikanji and other essential facilities.
The Chief Minister said that a total of 97 NEET examination centres have been set up in Delhi, including 69 in government schools and 28 in Kendriya Vidyalayas. Special cooling zones are being established around these centres by the district administration to ensure that parents and family members have proper arrangements for sitting, resting and getting relief from the heat. She said that every year, millions of families arrive at examination centres carrying dreams for their children's future. During the examination, candidates remain inside while parents wait outside for several hours. Yet the anxiety, heat, discomfort and inconvenience faced by parents often go unnoticed. Understanding this human aspect, the Delhi Government has decided to ensure that parents do not face inconvenience on the day of the examination.
The Chief Minister noted that in previous years, family members were often seen looking for shade under trees, spending time in parks or wandering around nearby markets while waiting for candidates. Many were forced to stand for long periods in extreme heat. This situation will now change. Comfortable waiting arrangements will be available right outside the examination centres.
She said that, under the directions of the Divisional Commissioner, the concerned officials are ensuring the establishment of cooling zones near all examination centres. These facilities will include seating arrangements, clean drinking water, shikanji, ORS, tea and first-aid support so that parents do not face any difficulty while waiting.
The Chief Minister said that the government’s objective is not merely to conduct the examination smoothly but also to improve the overall experience of everyone associated with it. When parents are comfortable and free from anxiety, it has a positive impact on students as well, enabling them to appear for the examination with greater confidence. She said that the Delhi Government places the highest priority on education and the future of young people. Providing every possible support to candidates appearing in an important examination like NEET, as well as to their families, is the government’s responsibility.
She said that this initiative is not merely an administrative arrangement but also a mark of respect for the millions of parents who stand by their children at every step in pursuit of their dreams. The Chief Minister expressed hope that the Delhi Government’s initiative would inspire other states as well and that the convenience of parents would receive similar importance during examinations across the country in the future. Extending her best wishes to all candidates, she said that the entire city of Delhi is praying for their bright future.
The Chief Minister also informed that the Delhi Government is not limiting its efforts to examination centres alone and has already put in place extensive measures to provide relief from the intense summer heat to the general public. As part of these efforts, 85 shade structures have been installed across different parts of the capital, 15 cooling zones are operational, and 13 Mobile Heat Relief Units are continuously moving across various areas to provide relief from the heat. She said that the special arrangements being made for parents during the NEET examination are an extension of the same welfare-oriented and compassionate approach.
