DBT BET (Biotechnology Eligibility Test) 2020 is a national level competitive exam scheduled to be held on the 30th of June 2020. It is extremely irrational to hold an examination in the wake of a huge crisis that India is facing now. In view of the COVID-19 global pandemic, our honorable Prime Minister Mr. Narendra Modi has extended lockdown in containment zones till the 30th June 2020. We certainly demand to postpone the exam until lockdown gets lifted completely.

Many DBT-BET aspirants reside in COVID-19 hotspots. These people will be left with no choice but to miss their exams. Moreover due to a limited number of public transports social distancing norms are kept at bay. Is it worth a decision to conduct an All India Examination now when almost every competitive exam has been postponed? Most importantly,  DBT-BET is conducted to provide DBT-Junior Research Fellowship for pursuing research in frontier areas of Biotechnology and Life Sciences. But is it not ironical that the authority conducting such examination is not understanding the severe situation of a global pandemic?

Moreover the form correction window was live for just 4 days precisely during the time when cyclone Amphan ravaged West Bengal, India. Not a single mail was attended to by the concerned authorities. Students in West Bengal did not get a chance to change their exam centres which is the prime need at this hour. Also DBT hosts exam centres in a limited number of cities. Many students living in suburbs will miss their exams when local trains are not running. Even if students risk their lives to attend the exam, how can the risk of asymtomatic carriers be waived off? Postponing an exam will not make India succumb into an economic crisis so actions should be taken according to it's necessity. Do we have the luxury to increase the risk of contamination now when the Central and State Governments are trying hard to contain the surge in the cases? Can we afford to increase the risk of our own family members now who might be suffering from other comorbidities? We earnestly request the concerned authorities to postpone the exam till the situation comes into a tight grip.