Bhubaneswar: Union Education Minister Ramesh Pokhriyal ‘Nishank’ on Thursday virtually interacted with teachers, parents and students across the country on upcoming competitive and board exams.
During interaction session, the Minister responded to the various concerns and queries of the students relating to school examinations, entrance examinations and other issues.
Informing about the CBSE Board Examinations of Class 10 and Class 12, the Minister said that already 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, Pokhriyal 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 clearing the doubts of regarding the upcoming CBSE examinations through a live interaction today, Pokhriyal said, “ However, if the pandemic situation doesn't improve, then students would be given more time", he added.
The CBSE has reduced the syllabus by 30 per cent for the Board exams that are scheduled to be held in 2021.
Regarding the concerns raised by students relating to syllabus and dates of JEE Exam, 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).
The Education Minister said that for JEE (Main) 2020, there were 75 questions which had to be answered by the candidates (25 questions each in Physics, Chemistry & Mathematics). 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.
To 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 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.
(With PIB Inputs)