The Supreme Court on Monday rejected a plea that sought the opening up of NEET exam centres abroad. The plea heard by a bench of 3 judges — Justices Nageswara Rao, Hemant Gupta and S Ravindra Bhat — asked the centre to make special provision to let the students fly to India via Vande Bharat flights. They will also have to undergo mandatory quarantine, in view of public health.

The plea was filed in the court by the parents of students who were living in Qatar and are aspiring to write NEET. Their petition seeking the same was previously dismissed by the Kerala High Court. The parents had also sought to let conduct these exams online and waive off their quarantine period. The NTA, however, in its rejoinder said that it will be impossible to be held online, as the exams are held in a 'long-book form'. At the same time, the court has allowed the petitioner the liberty to approach the State authorities for asking for a relaxation of quarantine requirements.

The National Eligibility cum Entrance Test will be held in various centres across the country. At the same time, the NTA is conducting the IIT Joint Entrance Examination in various centres in India and in Dubai.