JEE Main and NEET 2021: Gear up for what Education Minister has to say [Live Updates]

Using #EducationMinisterGoesLive, students are asking questions regarding important exams. These mainly include CBSE Board Exam 2021, JEE Main 2021 and NEET 2021. While some students have asked for a reduced syllabus of CBSE board exam, others have asked the minister to announce dates. Some are adamant on the postponement, while others think academic year must come back on track.

Union Education Minister Ramesh Pokhriyal Nishank will go online today. He aims to interact with students, teachers, parents and other stakeholders to address their queries regarding CBSE Class 10, Class 12 board exams and competitive exams such as JEE 2021 and NEET 2021. Nishank had posted a video on Twitter a few days ago seeking suggestions and queries from all stakeholders. It is expected that the Union Minister would make some announcement regarding the dates of CBSE Board Exams, JEE 2021 and NEET 2021 exams.

“Dear Teachers, Parents & Students, happy to share that I am going to live on Dec10 at 10 am to talk about upcoming competitive/board exams with you. Drop your concerns below using #EducationMinisterGoesLive,” he had tweeted.

Read more: Students push for May-June postponement with #EducationMinisterGoesLive, read comments.

What are students saying?

Many students, both board exam candidates and Medical and Engineering aspirants have been posting demands of postponement of JEE Main 2021 and CBSE Board Exams. On the other hand, many parents have shown safety concerns for their wards.

Some students have requested the Education Minister to defer the CBSE and other Board exams till May. We must also know that the CBSE is yet to make any official announcement regarding CBSE CLass 10, 12 board exam 2021 dates. Medical and Engineering students are asking the Education Minister to announce JEE Main 2021 and NEET 2021 syllabus and for a postponement of the entrance exams. A group of students have also asked for a third attempt for the IIT admission test -- JEE Advanced 2021.

Follow updates from #EducationMinisterGoesLive webinar here

9:00 AM

Ramesh Pokhriyal tweets: Dear students, I will be addressing your concerns related to upcoming competitive and board Exams at 10 AM today on my Twitter/FB pages. Looking forward to interacting with you all. #EducationMinisterGoesLive

10:07 AM

Ramesh Pokhriyal goes live on Twitter and Facebook

Interacting with teachers, parents and students on upcoming competitive/board exams. #EducationMinisterGoesLive @EduMinOfIndia @SanjayDhotreMP @PIB_India @MIB_India @DDNewslive https://t.co/qOsUBJ2J30

— Dr. Ramesh Pokhriyal Nishank (@DrRPNishank) December 10, 2020

10:09 AM

Education Minister congratulates ministers, officials for successfully conducting board and competitive exams in 2020 amid the ongoing pandemic.

10:14 AM

He promotes book reading with the quote, "When you read, you will lead."

10:16 AM

He says that they have asked state ministers to assess their situation and open schools. 17 states have opened schools so far. He asserts that the safety of students is their primary concern, even before academics.

10:18 AM

EduMin congratulates students who wrote exams in 2020 for passing with flying colours, despite the pandemic.

10:20 AM

He commends the effort of CBSE to have removed the word FAIL from results. He applauds the CBSE's efforts of constantly working for the board examination. Considering the many concerns, CBSE has reduced the syllabus for Class 10 and 12 board exam 2021 by 30%.

10:24 AM

In NEET 2020, as many as 17 lakh students had participated. The success of the exam made it one of a kind and the largest public examinations conducted by any country during the pandemic. JEE Main and JEE Advanced were also conducted with success. Students were given ample options and choices to make the examinations as comfortable as possible. Ramesh Pokhriyal also congratulates NTA DG on successfully installing National Test Abhyas App for enabling students to study for JEE Main and NEET 2021.

10:27 AM

He promotes National Education Policy 2020. Ramesh Pokhriyal focuses on how the world is applauding the new reforms; making a few were UAE Education Minister, Cambridge University Oxford University, etc. He adds that the NEP 2020 will be the face of transformation envisioned by Honorable Prime Minister Narendra Modi.

10:32 AM

He now comes to point to address the concerns and queries of students and parents. He starts with a question from a class 12 student who addresses the conduct of the practical exams.

Ramesh Pokhriyal states, "CBSE Board will conduct practical exams on school-level. If it finds that the conduct is impossible, then we will think about it later. Although, I am adamant that conditions will improve."

10:34 AM

Answering a question from student to give time for competition exams, he states that CBSE has already reduced the syllabus by 30%. If conditions are not suitable, CBSE might consider providing more time as well.

10:36 AM

Regarding the question about the reduced syllabus, Pokhriyal says that all the reduced syllabus is available on the CBSE Board website. Find CBSE 2021 revised syllabus here.

Further, Students ask for a reduction of JEE and NEET 202 Syllabus by 10 to 20 per cent and have also asked for more time. Education Minister assures students that if the situations persist, then due consideration and time would be given to the students. The suggestions have been duly noted.

10:38 AM

On the question of CBSE 2021 exam postponement, Ramesh Pokhriyal assures that students will be given time to understand the new pattern and complete the syllabus. Post the analysis of the current situation, CBSE will provide the timetable. The minister said, "We will ensure that you get enough time for preparation".

10:42 AM

Answering a parents concern on schools reopening, Ramesh Pokhriyal said that the virus is affecting people even at home. So, it all comes down to how careful an individual is. But the government is trying to ensure that all SOPs are followed.

10:44 AM

Regarding the reduction of the syllabus in JEE Main 2021 and NEET 2021, he says that they are discussing the matter internally. But all students will be able to give the exams if they have knowledge. He speaks on the possibility of revising the paper pattern to attend to the reduction in the various board examination syllabus so as to accommodate the same.

10:46 AM

On dates of JEE Main and NEET 2021, Ramesh Pokhriyal stated that EduMin is trying to assess the situation and give out the dates as soon as they can. Students have even asked to conduct exams multiple times in the year 2021. To which, he said that they are discussing the matter internally and considering if JEE Main can be held for up to four times.

10:49 AM

Students have asked if JEE Main and practical exams will clash. To which, he said that they are trying to not to clash the papers as it is tough for students. They are looking to ease how students give papers. Further, they are not looking to cancel or postpone NEET 2021.

10:52 AM

Without pointing fingers, he states that he does not understand who are inciting protests, but parents and students want NEET 2021 to happen. As these exams decide the future of students and, even the country, so they are not looking to postpone NEET 2021. In fact, EduMin is trying to give out the dates as early as possible so that students are mentally prepared to give the exams.

10:56 AM

A student asks if the exams will happen online or offline. To this, he says that JEE Main has always happened in online, but NEET in offline. Yet, EduMin is considering the suggestions from students. If a lot of students ask for online conduct, then NTA might think of conducting the exams online.

10:58 AM

Ramesh Pokhriyal concludes the program congratulating students on their constant vigilance. He requests students to indulge in extra-curricular activities as well. He states that he will also talk to parents and teachers in the coming future.