MHRD reschedules JEE Main, CBSE Board and NIOS exams due to COVID-19

NEW DELHI: As further precautionary measures due to the COVID-19 breakout, the ministry of human resource development on Wednesday stated that all ongoing exams should be rescheduled. Following the directions of the MHRD, CBSE has decided to postpone all the exams between March 19 and 31, 2020. The board will announce the new schedule likely on March 31, 2020.
The move will have a cascading effect as NIOS exams and JEE (main) too have been rescheduled. As per the directions issued by Amit Khare, secretary, HRD, the university exams too are to be postponed. As a fall out, the college/ university admissions too are likely to be delayed this year.
However, ICSE and ISC exams have not been postponed yet.
CBSE in its notification stated that along with the exams scheduled between March 19 and 31, 2020, the rescheduled examinations for the North East Delhi candidates will be rescheduled. Along with that the ongoing evaluation process has been put on hold and will be rescheduled post March 31, 2020.
NIOS too postponed the dates. Early on Wednesday the Apex committee of NIOS decided not to change the dates. However following the directions, CB Sharma, chairperson of NIOS told TOI, "On the instructions of the Secretary, School Education and Literacy (MHRD) Amit Khare all examination related activities will remain suspended till March 31, 2020. We will review the situation closer to March 31, 2020 and decide on the future course of action. All concerned are requested to take pro-active measure and the official notification will be issued tomorrow."
The JEE (main) exams which are scheduled for April 7 to 12, 2020 will also be rescheduled. According to a senior official if National Testing Agency, "Following the directions of the government, we will take a view on the new dates on March 31, 2020. NTA will take a view on the dates after the CBSE and NIOS announces their new dates."
MHRD in his direction stated that all institutions have been requested to notify the helpline numbers which students can access for their queries and urged the parents and students not to panic. "MHRD is committed to ensure safety and security of students as also the maintenance of the academic calendar and all possible steps will be taken in this regards.