New Delhi, 12 December 2020: The Joint Entrance Examination (JEE Main) for admission to engineering and architecture courses in premier engineering institutes in India and eligibility test for JEE (Advanced) will be more flexible from 2021 onwards. The Ministry of Education is considering that JEE (Main) 2021 to be held four times in a year.
A change in the examination format is expected as students will be given choice to answer 75 questions (25 questions each in Physics, Chemistry & Mathematics)out of 90 questions (30 question each in Physics, Chemistry & Mathematics).
Union Education Minister Mr Ramesh Pokhriyal stated this during an online interaction on 10 December 2020 with parents, students and teachers on Board and Competitive Exams amid COVID 19 pandemic.
Regarding the concerns raised by students relating to syllabus and dates of JEE Exam, Mr Pokhriyal said that the suggestion of JEE (Main) 2021 to be held four times in a year will be examined positively, beginning in the end of February (thereafter in March, April & May-2021) for 3-4 days during each time.
He further said that the syllabus for JEE (Main 2021) to remain same as the previous year and a proposal is under examination where students will be given choice to answer 75 questions (25 questions each in Physics, Chemistry & Mathematics)out of 90 questions(30 question each in Physics, Chemistry & Mathematics). He mentioned that for JEE (Main) 2020, there were 75 questions which had to be answered by the candidates (25 questions each in Physics, Chemistry & Mathematics), he informed.
The Minister stated that the Ministry will examine the suggestion positively to give option to candidates to appear one/ two/ three/ four times in JEE (Main) 2021 for admission in the coming academic year.
Union Education Minister Mr Ramesh Pokhriyal ‘Nishank’virtually interacts with teachers, parents and students across the country on upcoming competitive and board exams. During the one hour interaction, the Minister responded to the various concerns and queries of the students relating to school examinations, entrance examinations, among others.
In a question relating to syllabus and dates of NEET, the Minister clarified that the schedule for NEET (UG) 2021 is being finalized in consultation with the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare and National Medical Commission (NMC). The same would be declared in near future, he said. Regarding the syllabus for NEET (UG) 2021, Mr Pokhriyal said that the syllabus will remain the same as the previous year. In terms of mode of conduct of examination – online and offline; the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare and National Medical Commission (NMC) are being consulted in this regard, he added.
Informing about the Board Examinations of class 10thand class 12th, the Minister said that the consultations with the stakeholders are in progress for deciding the dates of Board examinations and it will be announced soon based on the feedback from stakeholders.
On a query relating to cancellation or postponement of CBSE practical examinations, the Minister said that CBSE is yet to take a decision on the dates of conducting Board examinations including practical. Consultations with the stakeholders are in progress. In case students are not able to do practical in classes before the examinations alternatives to practical examinations will be explored, he added.
While clarifying the doubts among the students and teachers about the deleted portion of Class 12, the Minister said that CBSE has already uploaded the revised syllabus on its website. Also, details of deleted portion have been given in a summary form. For any doubt, schools may contact CBSE or may visit CBSE website: www.cbseacademic.nic.in. He said he will also instruct C.B.S.E to upload videos of every chapter on their website.
During the interaction on the safetywith students Reopening of Schools for the students appearing for boards, Mr Pokhriyal said that the Department of School Education and Literacy, Ministry of Education has already issued SOP/Guidelines for reopening of schools which deals with health and safety aspects for reopening schools and learning with physical/social distancing and the academic aspects related to the delivery of education. Ministries are constantly in contact with states, he added.
While concluding, the Minister expressed his happiness to interact with the students. He appealed the students not to panic. He said the Ministry is committed to ensure safety and academic welfare of the students. He also informed that latest information regarding examinations, syllabus etc, will be available on the website of the Ministry and its autonomous institutions from time to time.
