NEET 2021 dates are eagerly awaited for the National Eligibility cum Entrance Test. While exact dates are still not specified, with CBSE and other State Board Exams scheduled for May, the prospect of conducting NEET 2021 in May can be safely excluded. This further drives the likelihood of a June or July NEET test.
Subsequent to the announcement of CBSE Board Exam 2021 dates on December 31, many state boards have also shared the dates on which Class 10 and 12 board examinations would begin. For many, the dates are for May.
Exams for the CBSE and Himachal Pradesh Board are scheduled to begin on May 4, for the Assam Board on May 12, and for Odisha Plus Two on May 15. It is also predicted that the Maharashtra State Board will hold the 2021 HSC Board Exams after April 15. As for the UP Board, while the dates have not been confirmed, officials have also proposed a timetable for April and May.
With NEET being a single national level examination for both medical and dental admissions, the exams in May 2021 will clearly not be carried out now.
Dates for NEET 2021- What we know so far
Ramesh Pokhriyal Nishank, Minister of Education, said that the National Testing Agency is considering conducting NEET twice this year, so far no likely months or dates have been revealed. Experts have maintained that NEET 2021 dates cannot be shared till most of the board exam dates have been announced.
“NEET 2021 cannot be conducted in May 2021 but June and July are possible. Given the decision taken by the Education Ministry so far in regards competitive and board examinations, a date of June and July is not ruled out. We are hopeful but the logistics are different!” points out Narain Chhabra, an academician associated with NEET prep for many years.
As for when the real decision will be announced, reports say that the decision is expected shortly. Sources close to the National Research Agency have confirmed that the NEET 2021 evaluation consultations are pending.
“NEET is not like JEE Main. While both are national level examinations, NEET being a pen and paper and single exam for MBBS and BDS admissions makes it unique and one of a kind in the world. About 16 lakh candidates appear for the examination, making it possibly the largest national entrance exam as such. Conducting the exam twice may not be feasible but given the pandemic, some possibilities must be considered and steps taken,” adds the expert.