JEE Mains Exam 2020

1st Sep, 2020

The Joint Entrance Examination (JEE)-Mains got underway at 9am today amid nationwide opposition from students, activists and political parties, who demanded that the competitive exams be deferred in view of the challenges posed by the Covid-19 pandemic. With masks, gloves and sanitisers, students line up in socially distanced queues at exam centres to be taken into examination halls where again they were made to sit as per staggered seating arrangements.

Earlier on Tuesday, the Nagpur bench of Bombay High Court refused to stay the JEE-Main examination, but said any student residing in flood-hit parts of Maharashtra's Vidarbha region who cannot reach the exam centre or reaches late can apply to the National Testing Agency to seek re-examination. The bench said the National Testing Agency (NTA) shall consider such applications and decide accordingly, after checking the veracity of the same.

11:01 am:
Candidates in Lucknow underwent temperature check at Subash Chandra Bose Institute of Higher Education in Prabandh Nagar, Muburakpur that has been designated as an exam centre for JEE Main.

10:56 am:
Thermal Screening of All Candidates | There will be several queue managers and more invigilators present at examination centres this year. In the case of NEET, which is a pen and paper-based test, the number of candidates per room has been reduced from the earlier 24 to 12 now. Besides this, thermal screening of all students and functionaries would be done.

10:53 am:
Meanwhile, the aspirants will have to submit a self-declaration form with a photograph, stating that they have not tested positive for the novel coronavirus and have not experienced any symptoms like fever, cough or breathing-related issues in the recent days. This undertaking will have to be presented at the examination centre. This form will have to be filled prior to the exam and must be signed in the presence of the invigilator.

10:49 am:
All candidates are also required to download and carefully read the instructions and advisory for COVID-19 given with the admit card and adhere to it. No candidate would be allowed to enter the examination centre without admit card, valid ID proof and proper frisking.

10:47 am:
Bombay HC's Nagpur Bench Refuses to Stay JEE-Main Exam | The Nagpur bench of Bombay High Court on Tuesday refused to stay the JEE-Main examination, but said any student residing in flood-hit parts of Maharashtra's Vidarbha region who cannot reach the exam centre or reaches late can apply to the National Testing Agency to seek a re-examination.

10:35 am:
A student is being provided with santiser as she arrives at a JEE exam centre in Noida ION. (Image: News18)

10:33 am:
As the JEE Main exam 2020 starts today, candidates begin to arrive at centres across the country. At the examination centre, candidates are being provided with masks and are being asked to sanitise themselves. Temperature is also being checked at the entrances.

10:32 am:
Do's and Don'ts for Social Distancing
Candidates have also been issued an advisory guiding them about the "Do's and Don'ts" for proper social distancing. It will be mandatory to wear face masks and gloves. Students will also have to carry a personal water bottle and hand sanitiser to the exam centre.

10:30 am:
Entry, Exit Staggered, Social Distancing in Place
The National Testing Agency (NTA) has made adequate arrangements for maintaining social distancing norms in the examinations centre for JEE (Mains) and NEET (UG), which are scheduled from September 1-6 and September 13, respectively. The entry and exit of candidates has been staggered, said the NTA, adding that adequate arrangements have also been made outside the examination centres to enable candidates to stand with adequate social distancing while waiting. The NTA has also decided to make candidates sit in alternate seats to ensure the social distancing norms in case of JEE (Main).

10:27 am:
The NEET (UG) is scheduled for September 13 while the JEE (Main), for admission to engineering colleges is scheduled from September 1-6. The NTA also released admit cards for NEET on Wednesday amid growing clamour for postponement of the two exams in view of increasing coronavirus cases in the country.

10:25 am:
'Life Cannot be Stepped': SC on JEE-NEET Exams
While rejecting the petition of students, the Supreme Court last week said "careers of students cannot be put under jeopardy" and directed the NTA to conduct the JEE-NEET exams. "Life cannot be stopped. We have to move ahead with safeguards and all... Are students ready to waste one whole year? Covid may continue for a year more," Justice Arun Mishra said.

10:25 am:
The Joint Entrance Examination (JEE) begins on Tuesday amid nationwide opposition from students, activists and political parties, who demanded that the competitive exams be deferred in view of the challenges posed by the Covid-19 pandemic. Last month, the Supreme Court had given its nod to the National Testing Agency (NTA) to conduct the JEE Main 2020 exams from September 1 to 6 and NEET on September 13, rejecting a batch of petitions filed by dozens of students seeking postponement of the examinations.