The National Eligibility-cum-Entrance Test or NEET (UG) 2021 will be held on September 12, new Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan announced on Monday.

The minister said that the application process will begin from 5pm on July 13 through through the NTA website(s).

While announcing the date for the entrance test for admission in MBBS/ BDS courses, Pradhan said, "In order to ensure social distancing norms, number of cities where examination will be conducted has been increased from 155 to 198. The number of examination centres will also be increased from 3,862 centres used in 2020."

To ensure adherence to COVID-19 protocols, the Union education minister said that face mask will be provided to all candidates at the centre.

"Staggered time slots during entry and exit, contactless registration, proper sanitisation, seating with social distancing etc. will also be ensured. In addition to the common places, all furniture and fixtures, and seats will be sanitized before and after the exams. The examination room/halls will have open windows and fans for proper air circulation," Pradhan added.

The NEET UG 2021 examination which was earlier scheduled for August 1, 2021 was postponed due to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic. 

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