Merit Overcomes Geographical Hurdles In NEET Results

GUWAHATI: A large number of students from backward and remote areas of Assam have cracked the National Eligibility-cum-Entrance Test (NEET), 2019 — the results of which were declared on Wednesday.

The NEET was conducted last month to select meritorious students for admission into MBBS and BDS courses in various recognized medical colleges and dental colleges in the country.

“Over 60 per cent of the total number of students, who cleared the NEET from Assam, are from remote and backward areas. Some of the successful candidates are from char areas. The development has proved that talents can shine from any place,” a source in the office of Directorate of Medical Education (DME) said.

Sources said students from remote places especially in lower Assam districts are more studious and determined than their urban areas counterparts to clear a tough national-level examination like NEET.

“A significant number of students from the vernacular medium have also cleared the National Eligibility-cum-Entrance Test,” a source said, adding that the NEET 2019 had the option of writing in the Assamese language besides English.

On other hand, the NEET-2019 results have shown aspiring doctors from underprivileged social backgrounds are no less than general-category students when it comes to merit at the national level. Students from among the SC, ST and OBC who cracked the all India medical entrance test, have cleared the cut-off meant for general-category students. Nearly 80 per cent of SC/ST and OBC students who cleared the test didn’t need any relaxation in the qualifying marks.

The qualifying criterion for the general merit list was 50th percentile. Out of 7,97,042 students who cleared the NEET, 7,04,335 qualified under the general merit category. In the general merit category, 311,846 OBCs, 79,881 SCs and 26,817 STs have qualified.

The National Testing Agency (NTA) which conducted the NEET, had given 10 per cent relaxation to SC/STs and OBCs. Under the relaxed cut-off, an additional 63,789 OBCs, 20,009 SCs and 8,455 STs have qualified.

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