7.77 lakh to take JEE Mains from today

Tribune News Service
New Delhi, August 31

Starting tomorrow until September 6, over seven lakh students are expected to take Joint Entrance Examination Mains, 2020, for admissions to undergraduate engineering courses with the Centre assuring full safety of candidates in Covid-19 times.

“I have appealed to all Chief Ministers to ensure that none of the JEE Mains candidates taking the exam has to face any inconvenience. I have personally spoken to every CM in this regard. All arrangements are in place as per the standard operating procedures of the Health Ministry and students need not worry. I wish everyone all the best. As many as 7,77,465 students have downloaded JEE Main admit cards so far,” Pokhriyal said.

In all 8.58 lakh candidates registered for JEE Main. Until tonight, 90.61 per cent — 7,77,465 candidates — had downloaded the admit cards.

Cards can be downloaded until the start of the exams tomorrow. JEE Mains are important as they are also a gateway to premiere IITs. Top 2.45 lakh candidates of JEE Mains papers 1 and 2 will take JEE Advanced for entry to 23 IITs. JEE Advanced is to be held on September 27.

The National Testing Agency, which will hold the exam today, said it had taken over all centres from state governments and arrangements were in place. Students will be given three layered masks and gloves once they reach the Centre where hand sanitisers will be freely available, it said. Also loudspeakers will be used to relay messages as masks could impede audibility of announcements.

JEE Mains are being held at a time of stiff opposition to the conduct of tests.

Among safety measures the NTA has adopted are — the number exam centres has been increased from 570 to 660; number of shifts has been increased from eight to 12 and number of candidates per shift has been reduced from earlier 1.32 lakh to 85,000 now.

To ensure proper social distancing inside examination halls, candidates will be seated in alternate seats in case of JEE (Main).

Adequate arrangements have also been made outside the examination centres to enable candidates stand with adequate social distancing, while waiting. The NTA has also written to states to extend support in local movement of the candidates so that they are able to reach their centres on time,” an NTA official said.

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