As a relief to Indian students in Qatar preparing for the NEET (UG) 2024 examination, the Union Ministry of Education has sanctioned a NEET examination center in Doha.
India's National Testing Agency has announced that the NEET-UG exam will be held on May 5 in 14 foreign cities, including Doha. There was no mention of centers outside India in the exam circular released earlier this month.
Foreign examination centers have now been allowed following protests by parents and students in the Gulf countries. Parents and students in Qatar were under a lot of pressure as they were worried that the students would have to go to India to write the exams and would have to face huge expenses and other difficulties.
The new decision is a big relief to parents and students in Qatar who were worried about having to travel to India for the NEET exam. A few parents had even booked tickets to travel to India," said Mohammad Ashraf, director of Brilliant Qatar.
“Appearing the exam in Qatar will give them mental relief. Also saves time and cost. Govt should declare Doha and other foreign cities as permanent NEET exam centres. "This is the right of the students and it was won after a long struggle, including going to court," added Ashraf.
The 14 foreign cities where the exam will be held are: Dubai, Abu Dhabi and Sharjah (UAE); Kuwait City in Kuwait; Bangkok, Thailand; Colombo, Sri Lanka; Doha in Qatar; Kathmandu, Nepal; Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia; Lagos, Nigeria; Manama in Bahrain; Muscat, Oman; Riyadh, Saudi Arabia; and Singapore. NEET exam is conducted in 554 centers in India.
The last date for submission of applications is March 9 and the exam result will be declared on June 14.
