Court directs NTA to keep sanitary pads at all NEET exam centers

In a bid to lessen the stress of female students during competitive exams, the Madurai Bench of the Madras High Court has ordered the National Testing Agency (NTA) to make sanitary pads available near toilets at all NEET examination centers across India. 

In a recent ruling, the court directed the testing agency to ensure that everyone appearing for the National Eligibility cum Entrance Test (NEET) exam on May 5 should have easy access to toilets and sanitary pads. 

"Every examination center must have suitable toilet facilities with water amenities. They must keep a minimum number of sanitary products near the toilets so that any girl who has come unprepared may use them. The girl candidates must be allowed the use of rest rooms when required,” stated the order.

The direction comes after a petition was filed by a 19-year-old who suffers from a medical condition that makes it difficult for her to control the urge to urinate. 

In the petition, the student sought accommodations to use an adult diaper and change it whenever required during exam hours. She also alleged that the NTA did not respond to her requests.

"If the facilities required by the petitioner are denied, she will not be able to take the examination. That would lead to discrimination that is forbidden by Article 14 of the Constitution of India," the court said. 

The court directed the NTA to conduct advance inspection of toilets in exam centres and also asked the examination body to spread awareness about these provisions so that female candidates do not stress while appearing for the exam.

NEET examination is the all-India mandatory test to qualify for admission in medical colleges.