India to hold national college admission tests despite constant surge in Covid-19 cases

The Indian administration announced on Wednesday that admission tests for medical and engineering schools will be held next week with around 2 million students set to take the tests. The move has raised many concerns over a potential leap in new Covid-19 cases which could be caused by such move.

The government is trying hard to bring some form of normality back to life with the fourth phase of easing lockdown restrictions "Unlock 4" set to commence on 1 September, while these exams have been already postponed twice due to the pandemic.

Minister of education Ramesh Pokhriyal told state radio that tests will be held to make sure that students will not lose a year assuring that exams will be held over several days and at various centers to avoid congestion. He also added, "We are very mindful of the safety of our students, we will take full precautions".

On the other hand, All-India Students' Union, a leftist group that represents university students condemned the decision of holding these tests, claiming that many students will have to travel long distances to appear for the exams which increases the risk of further spread of the infection.

The union in addition urged students to wear black armbands and take part in online protests, to express their disagreement and place pressure on the government to postpone the tests one more time until the pandemic situation subsides.