NEET 2020: Nagaland’s performance improves, but lowest among states & UTs

Morung Express News
Dimapur | October 19 

The National Eligibility cum Entrance Test (UG) – 2020 Results released by the National Testing Agency (NTA) late on October 16 had both ‘good’ and ‘bad’ news for Nagaland. 

On the plus side, the percentage qualification for 2020 was an improvement over 2019. 

According to an NTA release, out of 1,805 candidates sitting for the exam, 731 or 40.50% qualified. A total of 2,356 students registered, but only 1,805 appeared the exam held on September 13. 

Percentage wise, it was an improvement over last year performance when was only 34.52 % (710 out of 2,057 appeared), cracked the test.  

On the flip side, both in 2019 and 2020, the percentage qualification of students appearing from Nagaland was lowest among all States and Union Territories.  

The all India averages were 56.50 and 56.44 in 2019 and 2010 respectively. 

According to NTA, a total of 15,97,435 registered for the NEET (UG) 2020, out of which 13,66,945 appeared and 7,71,500 (56.44%) qualified. 

It remains to be proved whether the low qualification rate is reflective of a somewhat nonchalant attitude due to existence of State’s quota system or due to curriculum or other pedagogic issues. 

Meanwhile, according to the NTA’s list of State toppers during 2020, with a percentile score of 94.69, Pullack Jain, was the topper from Nagaland.  An ‘Economically Backward Class’ category student, his NEET All-India ranked was 72,117.

As per qualifying criteria of NEET (UG) 2020, the marks range for General candidates was 720-147; OBC- 146-113; SC - 146-113; ST – 146-113; UR / EWS & PH - 146-129. 

Meanwhile, in a first, two candidates - Soyeb Aftab from Odisha and Akanksha Singh from Delhi, secured 720 of 720 marks. However, the former was ranked first and the latter second as per the NTA's tie-breaking policy, according to reports quoting the agency officials.

The NEET is the entrance exam for admissions to undergraduate medical and dental courses across India.  The result of NEET (UG) - 2020 may be utilized by other entities of Central/State Governments for admission purpose in accordance with their rules, NTA stated.

Accordingly, for State quota and other seats falling under the ambit of States, candidates may apply to their domicile states and merit list as per State rules and based on All India Rank will be prepared by concerned Counselling Authorities, it said. The counselling for Private Medical Colleges will also be conducted by the concerned State Counselling Authority, it added. 

DTE Nagaland informs
Meanwhile, the Directorate of Technical Education, Kohima on October 17 informed that the “Last Date for submission of filled NEET Form either by hand or by post with all necessary documents is on or before October 29, 4 PM.”

No application form will be accepted thereafter, stated the notification issued by DTE’s Officer on Special Duty, Er. Vipulhou Lhoungu via State DIPR. 

In an earlier notification dated October 7, the DTE had informed the NEET-2020 appeared candidates to collect the prescribed application forms for NEET-UG-2020 for MBBS, BDS, BHMS, BASLP, BAMS, BUMS, BNYS and BSMS Degree courses from the DTE, Kohima (Below New Secretariat Complex) on payment of Rs 300 per form as processing fee with effect from October 8, 2020, during office working hours. 

The form can also be downloaded from the website www.dtenagaland.org.in in which case, the processing fee should be paid while submitting, it added.