• When the Engineering candidates get four attempts at computer-based JEE (Main) this year, the senior officials of the Ministries of Education and Health besides the National Testing Agency (NTA) will meet today (25/01/21) to decide on the modalities of NEET-UG and whether it can be held more than once a year for the welfare of the medical aspirants.
• The Government decided to conduct the computer-based JEE (Main) twice a year in 2019 and now increased it to four times a year from 2021 whereas the medical entrance exam is still held up in a paper-pen format and only once a year.
• Nearly 16 Lakh aspirants have been registered for NEET-UG in 2020, out of which 13.5 Lakh candidates have appeared.
• Dr.Rakesh Yadav, President, Faculty Association of AIIMS and Dr. S.Kumar, Chancellor of Sri Devaraj Urs Academy of Higher Education and Research, Deemed University in Kolar feel that one bad day should not result in wasting a complete year , the student may not attempt to do well due to many reasons or may have a bad day. So as engineering aspirants are given an opportunity to attempt multiple times even the NEET to be conducted many times a year.
• Two keys points are to be discussed in the agenda on the Monday’s meet, according to the government sources, whether the entrance exam can be shifted from paper-pen to computer-based test and can be conducted twice a year.
• Yadav added,” If NTA can manage the logistics, NEET as a computer-based exam is a good idea.
• The final decision depends on the Health Ministry, Senior Education Ministry Officials said that the computer-based test would be transparent, faster and easier evaluation process where the results will not be delayed. But few are doubtful about the computer-based test.
• PR Subbaraman, a student from Chennai said he welcomes the idea of NEET twice a year but computer-based test will have many challenges as the online tests rely on the connectivity so paper-pen method is better.
• N.Vijayan, Senior Principal, Zion Matriculation Higher Secondary School- Chennai also agreed paper-pen is best as the students comprehend better in offline tests compared to Online.
• There are also aspirants who  feel that just as NTA and IIT’s are successful in conducting online tests for JEE (Main) even NEET - UG will be successful said a XI std student, Priyanka Chaturvedi from Delhi.
• The total number of MBBS Seats under NEET 2020 increased as AIIMS and JIPMER (Puducherry) also will admit students to UG courses.
• Overall, a little more than 80,000 MBBS and 38,000 BDS seats are available for the candidates this year, including nearly 42,500 seats in Government run institutions, including AIIMS and JIPMER.  There will be an additional 10% seats under quota for economically weaker sections (EWS).