NEET results at night keeps journos, students on tenterhooks

CHENNAI: Results of the National Eligibility cum Entrance Test (NEET) were declared by the National Testing Agency on Wednesday around 11.30 pm, after initially stating that it will be declared at 12 pm noon. Health Minister Ma Subramanian had also announced the same, but the delay added to stress and nervousness of students, officials, journalists and others.

While netizens shared memes on social media about the delay in the exam results, it led to confusion and dejection among students. Many students had lost hope of having their results declared and even wondered if the declaration date was misinformation. The delay surely prompted calls to students from their teachers, journalists and relatives and also made everyone question the NTA’s system.

After discrepancies in the examination were questioned on several occasions, the delay in results and lack of information frustrated students and made them angry. The late results diminished the show of celebration of qualifying the exam by NEET coaching centres, schools and individuals.

For print journalists covering NEET, it was not only a day-long exercise but also a deadline trap, as the results came at the time of going to press. The NEET results were akin to the Election Commission results in 1980’s when the ballot papers were counted through the day and the results announced late at night.