NEET to have four reporting slots, more exam centres

NEET to have four reporting slots, more exam centres

Manash.Gohain@timesgroup.com

New Delhi:08.09.2020

After a glitch free computer-based Joint Entrance Examination (Main), the next big challenge for the National Testing Agency (NTA) is the pen-paper mode National Eligibility cum Entrance Test (NEET-UG) scheduled for September 13 for which 15.97 lakh candidates have registered.

In order to ensure social distancing and crowd management, the agency has increased the number of centres by 1,314 to 3,860 this year. In the standard operating procedures (SOPs) accessed by the TOI, reporting time has been divided into four slots of 40 minutes each starting from 11 am with candidates provided individual time slots. During each 40 minutes a maximum of 90 candidates will be allowed entry. At the end of the exam two invigilators will escort 24 candidates to the exit gate and the next batch will be allowed to exit only after the invigilators return.

According to NTA officials, while majority of the centres will have around 360 aspirants, there are 210 centres where candidates are 600 or more.

Apart from the centre superintendent and deputy superintendent for every 180 candidates there will be 30 invigilators, two water boys, two cleaning staff and four guards.

Till Sunday, more than 14 lakh candidates have downloaded admit cards.

“Social distancing protocol would be the key challenge for which we are planning in detail. Assigning of duties and procurement of masks, face shields, gloves, sanitisers and foot stickers are to be completed by September 9,” said an official.

“A candidate will show his/ her admit card where the roll numbers are written in large font, show the photo he/ she is carrying and remove the mask for face recognition from a distance of six feet. Then the candidate will be guided to the room. After sanitising their hands, the sealed OMR sheets will be distributed. Candidates are to open them after hand sanitising. One attendance sheet will have six names and they will sanitise the hand before and after signing,” said official.

Reporting time at the centres has been divided into four slots of 40 minutes each. A maximum of 90 candidates will be allowed entry in each slot