With the re-examinations of the National Eligibility cum Entrance Test (NEET) scheduled to take place on Sunday, several strict measures have been taken by college authorities, lecturers, District Collectors and the Police Department.

P.S. Kantharaju, Deputy Commissioner, Bengaluru Urban District, said, “Around 68 exam centres have been allocated. We have conducted meetings with the officials concerned and have given them instructions to see that no untoward incidents take place. We have also arranged for necessary transport facilities required to carry question papers and OMR sheets to the respective examination centres on time.”

The exams will be held from 2 p.m. to 5.15 p.m.).

According to the National Testing Agency (NTA), entry typically begins three hours before the examination. Most colleges will allow the entry of students from 11 a.m. and close before 1.30 p.m. Students are allowed to sit inside the exam hall by 1.15 p.m. Invigilators will verify the admit card inside the exam hall from 1.30 p.m. to 1.45 p.m.

Students must carry admit card, pass port size photographs and identity proof (Aadhaar card, voter id, PAN card or other government ID proof).

The Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) personnel will be deputed at the exam centres to ensure that incidents like malpractice, paper leak or other issues don’t take place.

Seemant Kumar Singh, Bengaluru Police Commissioner, has issued prohibitory orders under section 163 of Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita (BNSS).

Bengaluru Traffic Police advisory

The Bengaluru Traffic Police have issued a public advisory ahead of multiple large-scale events scheduled across the city on Sunday, including International Yoga Day celebrations, marathon events and major political programmes.

According to the advisory, several traffic restrictions and diversions will be in place around the venues hosting these events to ensure smooth movement of the public and facilitate the conduct of the programmes. As a result, traffic congestion is expected in several parts of the city.

The NEET candidates have been advised to carefully follow traffic updates and plan their travel well in advance to avoid delays.

Candidates appearing for the examination are requested to leave early and reach their respective examination centres before the stipulated reporting time.

Members of the public can contact the Bengaluru Traffic Police Traffic Management Centre on the following helpline numbers: 22943131, 22943030.

Dos and Don’ts for students

Candidates are permitted to carry transparent water bottles inside the examination hall.  They can carry their admit card in transparent plastic pouches to avoid damage due to rains.

More importantly, they are permitted to wear articles or objects of faith (including religious symbols, kalawas, turbans, hijabs, or similar items), subject to reporting at the examination centre well in advance to facilitate thorough frisking by examination staff.

 While light clothing is preferred, candidates may wear full-sleeve garments or woollen if required, subject to reporting to the centre well in advance to enable thorough frisking. Slippers and low-heeled footwear are the preferred category of footwear.

Candidates wearing high-heeled footwear may be subjected to additional checks. Candidates are strictly prohibited from carrying any electronic devices, including mobile phones, smartwatches, Bluetooth accessories, earphones, or any communication device, inside the examination hall. Metallic items, large belt buckles, heavy jewellery, and accessories are not permitted inside the examination hall.

Mockdrill in colleges

In order to see that the college staff have clarity about the rules and regulations of the NEET exams, drills were conducted across all the colleges that are designated exam centres. For instance, in Malleshwaram Government PU College in 18th Cross, the college staff was briefed about the entry timings for students, frisking measures, dress code, checking of admit card and more.

A lecturer from Malleswaram PU college said, “We have checked the working conditions of CCTV cameras. In case of bigger classrooms, we have installed two CCTV cameras. There are 384 candidates who will be writing exams in our centre and 16 classrooms are allocated for the exams. Each classroom will have 24 students writing exams. We want to ensure that it takes place in a transparent manner. Only students will be allowed into the college premises and no phones or any kind of gadgets will be allowed. Parents have to wait away from the college. They will not be allowed to sit or hand around the premises.”

A student from a residential coaching centre in Bengaluru said, “My exam centre is in Kollegala. I left on Saturday morning so that I can reach there on time and also check the distance of exam centre from the hotel room.”

Meanwhile, taking a dig at the Central government and National Testing Agency for failing to conduct the NEET smoothly, Home Minister Priyank Kharge said, “ The State has offered complete cooperation to anything that anybody has asked for. More importantly, the responsibility lies with the NTA and the Central government. This is the first time I am seeing that they have deployed armed forces to conduct exams. This shows the competence level of the government. We wish all the best to students and hope that no untoward incident takes place.”