Over 6,700 candidates appear for NEET in Coimbatore across 14 centres

Candidates of the National Eligibility-cum-Entrance Test (NEET) line up at an exam centre in Coimbatore city on Sunday.
| Photo Credit: S. SIVA SARAVANAN

A total of 6,760 candidates appeared for the National Eligibility-cum-Entrance Test (NEET) for undergraduate medical courses, held on Sunday across 14 centres in Coimbatore. Of the 6,994 candidates who had registered, 234 were absent.

The examination was conducted from 2 p.m. to 5 p.m. Students were screened before entry between 11 a.m. and 1.30 p.m. In Coimbatore, 85 police personnel were deployed for frisking duties, while 71 were stationed across the 14 centres to ensure the smooth conduct of the exam.

Coimbatore district NEET coordinator R.K. Mishra said the attendance was 96.65% and the exam was conducted without any issues. “No candidate reported any problems at the centres,” he said.

Candidates said the test was time-consuming, and among the three subjects—biology, chemistry and physics—physics was the most difficult.

S. Keerthiga, a government school student, said, “Physics was the toughest. Though the coaching at school helped with preparation and time management, I could not finish the entire paper.”

V. Indhraja, a trans person from Coimbatore, said this was their second attempt. “I prepared on my own. Compared to last year, I felt the paper was slightly easier,” they said.

In Tiruppur, a female candidate was initially stopped at the entrance of an exam centre as her dress had multiple buttons. A Police personnel on duty assisted her in purchasing alternative clothing, following which she was allowed to write the exam. In the district, the exam was conducted across seven centres. Of the 3,212 registered candidates, 107 were absent.