The National Board of Examinations in Medical Sciences, New Delhi has decided to postpone the NEET Super Speciality(SS) 2023 exam owing to the G20 Summit. According to reports, the revised examination dates will be disclosed by the Board in the near future and can be accessed on the official NBE website at natboard.edu.in. 

The National Board of Examination in Medical Sciences was originally scheduled on September 9 and 10, 2023. Nonetheless, these dates have been rescheduled due to the 18th G20 Summit, that was set to be conducted in the national capital from September 8 to 10, 2023.

Issuing a notice, the National Board of Examinations in Medical Sciences noted that in wake of the 18th G20 Summit scheduled to be held on 9th and 10th September 2023 in India and consequent travel restrictions which shall now be in place in Delhi from 8th September 2023 to 10th September 2023, the conduct of NEET -SS 2023, that was announced to be held on 9th and 10th September 2023 across the country has been deferred.

In addition, the National Board of Examination in Medical Science noted that the revised schedule for conduct of NEET -SS 2023 across the country will be notified on NBEMS website. It added that in case of further query, the candidates can write to NBEMS at its communication web portal.

As far as reports are concerned, the NEET Super Speciality 2023 examination format will involve a computer-based test. Additionally, multiple subject groups will be examined during either the morning or afternoon shifts on the designated exam days. Reportedly, each of the question papers will consist of a total of 150 questions that have to be completed by the candidates within a duration of 2.5 hours. 

Meanwhile, the government has declared a public holiday in Delhi due to the G20 Summit 2023. The Delhi Traffic Police asserted that there will be a controlled zone across the national capital, but bonafide residents of the area will be allowed passage. The traffic police official added that metro and essential services will operate normally. 

The Education Department of the Delhi government has restricted the use of mobile phones in the classroom of all government and private schools.

The advisory issued by the Education Department on Thursday has asked the parents to ensure their children do not carry mobile phones to school. It also urged teachers and staff members not to use mobile phones in the school premises, especially where students are involved in learning activities.  

According to the advisory, it pointed out the reason for banning the use of mobile phones in Delhi schools. The advisory highlights the prevalence of mobile phones in daily life and urges reflection on the potential negative consequences of overuse, including depression, anxiety, social isolation, hyperactivity, hypertension, sleep loss, and poor eyesight.

The advisory noted that bullying, harassment, and transmission of explicit images, as well as recording or uploading inappropriate content, can harm a child’s social fabric and future. Additionally, distractions caused by technology can negatively impact academic performance, life satisfaction, face-to-face conversation quality, and connection.

Therefore, the use of mobile phones definitely needs to be regulated in school premises and therefore all stakeholders connected with school education such as students, parents, teachers, and the heads of schools need to arrive at a consensus on the minimum use of mobile phones in their school so that a more meaningful learning atmosphere can be maintained in the classroom which makes for a better ambience and school environment for the students, the advisory said.

It is also mentioned that parents should ensure their children don’t have mobile phones with them while on school grounds. If students bring mobile phones to school, the school administration must arrange for safe and appropriate storage using lockers, other systems, etc.

Mobile phones should strictly not be allowed in the classrooms. Further, teachers and other staff are restrained from using mobiles during teaching-learning activities, especially in classrooms, playgrounds, laboratories and library, etc.

The Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) Guwahati welcomed the 2023 batch of students recently. Altogether, 2200 students under multiple programmes have taken admission in the institute. In a special effort this year, the institute conducted a session to help the students manage their personal and academic life in a stress free and efficient manner. Along with the students, the session was also attended by their parents and siblings.

According to reports, the special session helped them to understand the system for mental health support at the institute, facilitated through the Centre for Holistic Well-being. Furthermore, there will be mandatory counseling for all newly admitted BTech students to provide mental support to them and thereby familiarise them with the resources available to them. It is believed that these measures will help them to identify the students requiring support at an early stage. 

Reports further stated that IIT Guwahati has six professionals namely four counselors and two psychiatrists  to help the students in need. The counseling support will be accessible to students on all working days from 9am to 8pm. The student can meet the counselors after class hours if the need arises. In addition, to provide students with adequate social support and a sense of community the institute has initiated a ‘know your neighbours’ campaign. 

According to reports, ice-breaking sessions will also be carried out in the form of an interactive session with freshers at the hotel level. Student counselors at the Centre for Holistic Wellbeing will preside over this. Multiple activities involving sports and cultural boards will also be conducted to keep the students engaged in their free times. These activities will also include motivational talks and the screening of documentaries.

Earlier, IIT Madras had declared a wellness session series for its students, under which the institute planned to carry out multiple initiatives to facilitate every student in an environment filled with harmony and peace. The major objective of the institute was to increase awareness on mental health issues together with addressing and mitigating issues faced by the students.