Union Human Resource Development Minister Prakash Javadekar on Saturday announced that the National Testing Agency would conduct competitive exams such as the National Eligibility cum Entrance Examination and Joint Entrance Examination (Main). The Central Board of Secondary Education currently conducts the exams.
While JEE (Mains) would be conducted in January and April, NEET would be held in February and May. National Eligibility Test would be conducted in December.
“National Testing Agency was approved by the Union Cabinet in November 2017 as an autonomous and self-sustained premier testing organization to conduct entrance examinations for higher educational Institutions,” the ministry said in a statement.
Candidates will be allowed to appear for NEET and JEE twice a year and the best score will be considered for admission. However, sitting in both tests will not be compulsory. The exams will only be conducted online and on multiple dates. Candidates can choose to appear for the exam on any of the dates.
The syllabus and other formalities of the examinations will remain the same. The exam fees will also not be increased, the statement said.
“NTA will establish a network of test practice centres for students of rural areas so that everyone will have an opportunity to practice before the exam,” the statement said. The students can use the facility free of charge.
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