Muscat – Parents and wards were delighted following an announcement by the National Testing Agency of India to expand the list of exam centres for the National Eligibility-cum-Entrance Test (NEET) for 2024, including Oman and 13 other international centres.  

NEET is an all-India entrance test for students who wish to pursue undergraduate medical courses in government and private institutions in India and abroad.

The announcement came in response to demands from Indian diaspora parents, including those based in Oman. The decision now allows students residing in Oman to sit for the NEET exams in 2024 in Muscat without the need to travel to India.

MK Mohammad, a parent, said, “This decision is a great relief for us and our children. It ensures that they have a fair chance to pursue their dreams without the added challenge of travelling to India for the exams.” 

The Indian expatriate community in Oman, led by the Kairali Oman group, had raised the matter with H E Amit Narang, Indian Ambassador to Oman, earlier this week. 

India’s National Testing Agency (NTA) has reversed its earlier decision to suspend the National Eligibility cum Entrance Test (NEET) UG 2024 exam centers outside of India.

This decision has led to the reinstatement of exam centers in Muscat and other GCC countries.

A statement issued by NTA said, ‘In continuation to the public notice dated February 9, 2024, wherein NTA invited online application forms for NEET (UG) 2024, it has been decided that the exam will be conducted in the following international cities: Kuwait, Dubai, Abu Dhabi, Sharjah, Bangkok, Colombo, Doha, Kathmandu, Kuala Lampur, Lagos, Manama, Muscat, Riyadh, and Singapore as foreign centres for NEET UG 2024 exams.’

It further added that candidates who have already selected centers in India and paid the fee without the option for foreign centers will have the opportunity to correct their center and country choice during the correction window.

A centre was established at Indian School Muscat in 2022, a significant achievement that followed years of persistent requests from Indian parents residing in Oman.