Due to the surge in COVID19 cases, the NEET PG medical entrance examination, scheduled to be held on April 18 (Sunday), has been postponed, said Union health minister Dr Harsh Vardhan in a tweet on Thursday evening.

Dr Vardhan said a new date for the exam will be announced later.

“In light of the surge in COVID-19 cases, the Government of India has decided to postpone NEET-PG 2021 exam, which was earlier scheduled to be held on April 18. Next date to be decided later,” Dr Vardhan said on his Twiter handle.

Also read: CBSE class 10 board exam cancelled, class 12 exam postponed

“Decision has been taken keeping well-being of our young medical students in mind,” the Union health minister said.

The Union health ministry took the decision to postpone the examinations shortly after a group of student doctors moved the Supreme Court with an appeal to defer the date of the examination.

A bench headed by Chief Justice of India SA Bobde will hear the matter on Friday.

The petitioners said thousands of people would be at risk if the doctors, who are treating COVID19 patients on a daily basis, have to attend a physical examination.

They also referred to the decision of the Union government to cancel the CBSE Class 10 exams, and postpone the Class 12 exams, that were scheduled to commence from May 4.

The decision to postpone board exams was taken after an outcry by students, parents, medical experts and opposition leaders.