The UGC NET December 2020 cycle examination scheduled for May 2021 has been postponed by the government in view of the COVID-19 pandemic, announced Union Education Minister Dr Ramesh Pokhriyal Nishank on Tuesday.
On Twitter, Dr Ramesh Pokhriyal Nishank wrote, "Keeping in mind the safety and wellbeing of candidates and exam functionaries during COVID-19 outbreak. I have advised the National Testing Agency to postpone the UGC-NET December 2020 cycle (May 2021) exams."
The UGC – National Eligibility Test (UGC-NET) for December 2020 cycle (May 2021) in Computer Based Test (CBT) mode scheduled between May 2 to May 17, 2021, throughout the country covering 81 subjects. The Nation Testing Agency (NTA) in a statement said, "looking at the present situation of the COVID-19 pandemic and also taking into account the safety and well-being of the candidates and examination functionaries, it has been decided to postpone the UGC-NET December 2020 cycle (May 2021) Examination".
Meanwhile, the NTA statement further said, "The revised dates for the UGC-NET December 2020 cycle (May 2021) examination will be announced later. At least 15 days before the examination". Due to the spike in COVID-19 cases, the Union Education Minister had already announced the cancellation of the CBSE class 10 exams. The ministry also postponed the CBSE class 12 exams.
Several parts of the country, including Delhi, Maharashtra. Rajasthan and Tamil Nadu have put lockdowns and similar restrictions in place to control the spread of the coronavirus. Last year when the nationwide lockdown imposed migrants left for their hometowns on their bicycle or on foot because of no availability of cars and trains for a long time.
This time, they do not want to take the chances and have started going back to their native places. India is currently witnessing a second wave of the COVID-19 pandemic. The country has reported over 2,59,170 fresh infections in the last 24 hours. According to the Health Ministry, there are currently 20,31,977 active cases in the country.
