Dates alloted by NTA for entrance exams ‘chaotic’: JNUSU

NEW DELHI: Students of the Jawaharlal Nehru University (JNU) described the schedule for the JNU Entrance Exam (JNUEE) “chaotic” alleging that students have been allotted different centres in different cities at the same time.

Students alleged that the National Testing Agency (NTA) has allotted different centres in different cities on consecutive days and sometimes different centres within the same city at the same time for Mphil and PhD entrance exams, making it difficult for students to attend.

The NTA is in charge of conducting the JNU Entrance Exam (JNUEE) which is set to begin from October 5.

Aishee Ghosh, president of JNU Students Union (JNUSU), said: “ Many students are writing to us saying that they have exams at different centres. times. For some, there is an exam in Jaipur and the next exam on the next day in Delhi. They don’t know if they can travel to another city and give the exams without being quarantined.”

JNUEE allows students to appear for multiple examinations of different disciplines.

“Students from the north eastern region have to travel to different states to give exams because centres are not available. So they have to follow protocol and go into quarantine and if so they will miss the exams,” she added.

Student representatives also said that the exam dates also clash with the final year exams of different universities making it harder for students to appear in the exams.

They said that the lack of transportation and fear of the pandemic will make such a sudden commute difficult for the students.

“The students should have been given a month’s advance and cannot expect students to make the necessary travel arrangements in 15 days. It is difficult for students as public transportation is not available and there is also the constant fear of COVID-19,” said Ghosh.

“The exams are attended by students from different states. NTA should at least ensure that the dates do not clash with the state university exams. We have been receiving complaints from students in different states saying that the dates are clashing with their final year exams,” Ghosh added.

Extension for research scholars

JNU students also alleged that the university is not giving due consideration to its research scholars during the time of the pandemic. Research scholars are eligible to apply for extension if their thesis is not finished in four year, Students allege that considerable time is not being provided to the students to complete the qualifications required for applying for extension.

“In April 30, when the administration gave out the circular saying that we can apply for extension till six months after the COVID-19 period ends. Now the application for extension is set to end September 30 but the pandemic is still ongoing,” said Saket Moon, vice president of JNUSU.

“In this situation when the students are not in the campus, not being able to access labs and libraries, the administration is asking us to apply for extension by September 30 even though the application requires students to complete a major portion of their PhD,” Moon said.

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