Indian consulate approach ministry to set up NEET test in UAE

Dubai: The Indian Consulate in Dubai has appealed to India’s Union Human Resources Development Ministry to allow for a National Eligibility Entrance Test (NEET) centre to be set up in the UAE, following requests from students and parents.

The NEET test is an entrance exam in India for students who wish to study undergraduate medical and dental courses in India and tests are usually conducted in India meaning UAE-based students have to fly back to sit the exam. However, due to flight restrictions because of coronavirus, students are asking for a test centre to be set up in the UAE to avoid them missing out on the exam.

Consul General Vipul told Gulf News that following requests from parents and students, the matter has been passed onto the ministry.

Parents of students had feared their child would miss out on the opportunity to qualify for a medical college as a result.

Padma Nataraj, whose daughter Aishwarya has been preparing two years for the NEET entrance exam, said, “It has been her dream to become a doctor.

“My husband and I have worked hard in the UAE for 20 years so we can give our child the best education. We are now in that stage, but unfortunately owing to the COVID-19 situation, our daughter is not able to travel to India to sit the entrance exam.”

Bharath Arunachalam, the father of Jhayashreene, said, “I hope the COVID-19 situation does not disrupt our dreams. All we want is for the government to set up a testing centre and our children to get a chance to sit the NEET test. That is all we are asking.”