In view of a spike in the number of Covid-19 cases, the National Eligibility-Cum-Entrance test (NEET), which was scheduled to be held on April 18, has been postponed, Union Health Minister Harsh Vardhan said on Thursday.
"In light of the surge in #Covid19 cases, GoI has decided to postpone #NEETPG2021 exam which was earlier scheduled to be held on Apr 18. Next date to be decided later. Decision has been taken keeping the well being of our young medical students in mind," he said in a tweet.
The decision came a day after CBSE Class 12 examinations were postponed in view of the rising number of cases.
Earlier on Thursday, DMK chief MK Stalin in a tweet asked the rationale behind holding the examination.
In a tweet, Stalin, whose party is a vocal critic of NEET, pointed out at the cancellation of CBSE class X exams "due to the second wave" of Covid-19.
"CBSE exams have now got cancelled due to the second wave of #Covid19. With increasing cases and fatalities, when our doctors are fighting hard against all odds, is this the right time to hold National Eligibility Cum Entrance Test (NEET) for PG courses," Stalin, Leader of Opposition in the Tamil Nadu Assembly, said.