October 7, 2020: Students who were unable to appear for the NEET 2020 examinations for being COVID-19 positive are expressing their concerns over the delay in the declaration of the examination schedule. 

Separate examination dates for these students was promised by National Testing Agency(NTA). But the delay in declaration has put the students’ academic career into risk. 

NEET 2020 examination was conducted on September 13, 2020. National Eligibility cum Entrance Test (NEET) Result 2020 will be declared by the National Test Agency (NTA) on October 12, 2020. 

Read: NEET 2020 Exam Pattern, Marking Scheme, Important Topics, and Paper Analysis

Abyaya Dash, NEET students who couldn’t appear for the examination due to COVID-19 said, “The results of NEET will be announced on October 12 but the NTA is yet to announce separate exam date for students who could not appear for the exam for being infected with COVID-19 at that time".

He added," My whole career is at stake if I won't be able to appear the test. All my hard work and efforts will go in vain".

Covid-19 infected students were asked to submit their undergraduate admit card and proof of testing positive for coronavirus at NTA official email; ncov19@nta.ac.in.

Read: NEET 2020: NTA Provides Facility to Challenge OMR Answer Sheets and Recorded Responses

Polly Patnaik, state nodal officer for NEET 2020 said,'“We have not received any notice for conducting the exam for students who could not appear the exam for being COVID-19 positive during the exam”.

“The exact number of students tested positive and did not appear could not be ascertained which is probably leading to the delay in finalizing the date".

She further added, "Whenever we will get a notice for the exam we will conduct it following all safety guidelines for the students".

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PK Patnaik, a parent of NEET Candidate stated that they are planning on moving to court and filing a Public Interest Litigation (PIL) on NTA for the delay in announcement of dates for COVID-19 infected students.

He added, "How can the government debar them from the exam for no-fault amidst the global pandemic".

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