All annual exams conducted by national boards and entrance exams were either cancelled or postponed due to the coronavirus lockdown across the country from March 22. The government has asked the exam authorities to reschedule the timetable and announce new dates after the lockdown period gets over on April 14.

The National Institute of Open Schooling (NIOS) said it will schedule its exams in coordination with the Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE). NIOS chairman, C B Sharma said that the examination which was scheduled to start on March 24, “will decide on new dates to conduct annual exams once CBSE releases its new schedule.” He added that would be done once the board checks it’s availability of schools to use them as exam centres.

Sharma further said, “At this moment, we are not in a position to decide anything concrete. NIOS will need a week to coordinate with schools and decide on exam centres. He was apprehensive about the availability of schools as they may call- off or shorten their summer vacation to make up for the learning loss due to the lockdown. 

Meanwhile, revised schedules have been prepared for JEE and NEET. Amit Khare told The Indian Express, “If the lockdown ends in April, we can conduct the exams in May. That is what we have planned for JEE and NEET.” He added that the results can be announced in June while admissions can be completed by July-end. The time lost can be made up by holding extra classes on Saturdays. 

Source: The Times of India