A constant upward push has been observed withinside the variety of college students registering for the National Eligibility cum Entrance Test (NEET), that's held for admission to clinical and dental guides in India. According to information shared through the National Testing Agency (NTA), which conducts the doorway test, 16.14 lakh students have registered for the examination this year — the best withinside the remaining 5 years. This variety changed into 15.97 lakh in 2020, 15.19 lakh in 2019, 13.26 lakh in 2018 and 11.38 lakh in 2017.
In those 5 years, registrations have risen by 42 per cent. According to experts, elements like extra clinical seats have performed a primary role, however, there's additionally a hyperlink to the Covid-19 pandemic over the past couple of years.
“The variety of medical aspirants has been at the upward push continuously due to some of the reasons, consisting of the decreasing scope in engineering. However, Covid has given a massive push to the numbers due to the fact people recognise that it is very vital to have a medico withinside the family,” stated B. Srinivas, Additional Director General, Medical Education, Ministry of Health and Family Welfare (MoHFW).
“The lowering scope in engineering has additionally diverted technology college students to pursue medicine. If they pass for medicine, they can have the guarantee that they can begin their exercise if they do now no longer get a job,” he added.