JEE Main 2021 (No Cancellation): NTA looks at the possibility of holding single session exam in July-August

Due to the rise in Covid-19 Cases and lockdown-like restriction in the second wave, NTA had announced that it had cancelled JEE Main 2021 (April and May Sessions). This was followed by the postponement of the CBSE Class 12 Board Exams. Thus, there was a lot of anticipation among the candidates for the last two sessions of JEE Main 2021. But, speculative reports, in May, had suggested that after the ministry decides the dates of the Class 12 board exams, it would make a final decision on these entrance exams too. The Education Ministry, later, decided to cancel Class 12 Board Exams. This has led to further speculations that JEE Main 2021 could now be conducted only once.

Will JEE Main 2021 be cancelled?

Cancelling the entrance exam is not a possibility many. The government conducted the exams last year, despite unfavourable circumstances. Further, it is also necessary to conduct JEE exams as they are precedent to admissions to the top engineering institutes of the country. Thus, decision-makers are trying to figure out a suitable timeline to conduct these examinations. A source suggested that due to the extended timeline, NTA officials have advised on conducting not two, but only one exam for JEE Main 2021. NTA had already conducted the February and March exams out of the 4 attempts given this year.

About JEE Main 2021 Sessions

NTA had announced to conduct the Joint Entrance Examination (JEE) Main exam four times a year, starting 2021. This would provide students with an opportunity to improve their scores. The first phase took in February and the second in March. The next phases would have happened in April and May. However, NTA decided to postpone them due to the rise in COVID-19 cases in the second wave. The NTA will release JEE Main 2021 examination dates for both sessions at least 15 days before the exam.

Sources suggest that instead of two, students will get only one attempt due to increasing delays. The Joint Entrance Examination (JEE) Advanced 2021 test that would have happened on July 3, NTA has postponed it as well; because of the coronavirus situation in the country. Thus, it is likely that to conduct these entrance exams and begin the new session, NTA will likely conduct one exam in the July-August timeline.