Manish Sisodia suggests Centre to conduct NEET, JEE 2021 on reduced syllabus

NEW DELHI: In a recent development on National Eligibility cum Entrance Test (NEET) and Joint Entrance Examination (JEE) for the upcoming year, Deputy Chief Minister of state, Manish Sisodia on Thursday suggested that syllabus for all classes should be reduced to 50 per cent. This statement of his has been backed by the reason that continued loss of classroom learning due to the COVID-19 pandemic. He added that entrance exams like NEET and JEE next year should be based on reduced syllabus.

It was on the occasion of the 57th General Council Meeting of NCERT chaired by Union Education Minister Ramesh Pokhriyal 'Nishank that Mr Sisodia made the suggestions. This Council Meeting was also attended by state education ministers.

Details of suggestions by Mr. Sisodia on NEET and JEE syllabus

"The current academic session is seriously disturbed due to ongoing Corona crises. The syllabus for all classes be reduced to 50 per cent because of the continued loss of school days. Next year's entrance exams like JEE and NEET should also be based on this reduced syllabus to align with the current year's class syllabus," Mr Sisodia said.

In his suggestions, Mr Sisodia also added that the Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE) should not hold class 12 board exams before May 2021. This will provide students some more time to study. Generally, the exams are held in February and March.

Other recent developments on 2020-21 academic session

Earlier this month, the Delhi government had urged CBSE to not conduct the board exams next year before May. They also urged the latter to further reduce syllabus as schools still continue to remain closed due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

In a letter to the CBSE, the Directorate of Education (DoE) had said that as an effect of the COVID-19 pandemic, a significant duration of 2020-21 academic session, which is approximately seven months, could not be utilised for classroom teaching learning process. This was due to schools in as schools in Delhi remaining closed till October 31.

What Next on NEET and JEE syllabus reduction?

It is known to all that the universities and schools nationwide were ordered to shut down on March 16 to contain the spread of novel coronavirus. On March 25, the Centre announced an all India lockdown. Although restrictions are being gradually and layer-wise eased in different phases of the 'unlock' since June 8, the educational institutions continue to remain closed. However, according to the latest 'Unlock 5' guidelines, schools, colleges and other educational institutions outside COVID-19 containment zones can reopen after October 15.

The states and Union Territories have the final say on reopening the institutions. The Delhi government has decided to maintain status quo on schools' closure till October 31, following which a review of the situation will be done.

Also read:
NEET 2020 counselling schedule released at mcc.nic.in; check details here
NEET 2020 counselling: MCC releases notice for admission under NRI Quota

Write to us at news@careers360.com