The Supreme Court on Monday dismissed a petition seeking postponement of the NEET slated for September 13, saying “the plea of the pandemic cannot be a reason to jeopardize the career of lakhs of students this year”.

A bench of Justices Arun Mishra, B.R.Gavai and Krishna Murari said that since the pandemic is expected to continue even for a year, there cannot be postponement of the exams for such a long period.

“Education should be opened up. Covid may continue for a year more. Are you going to wait another year? Do you know what is the loss to the country and peril to the students?” Justice Mishra heading the bench asked counsel Alakh Srivastava appearing for the students.

The students had moved the apex court seeking postponement of the exams on the ground that present situation is not conducive to conduct the test, amid the rise in the coronavirus cases. Students pleaded they would become more vulnerable if the exams are conducted at this stage.