Not a NEET way to conduct an exam

Some of them were even forced to cut off their shirt sleeves, remove their shoes, hairpins and even belts. In some centres, the checking was done in three rounds that took hours to complete. For most students, it was a harrowing experience. S Andrew, who accompanied his son to a centre in Velachery, said, “My son came to me and informed that full sleeves were not permitted. I managed to purchase scissors from a nearby shop and cut off the sleeves. It was a pitiable sight to see him so worked up just moments before the examination.” 

The examination centre had received a clear list of dos and dont’s from the CBSE. “The students were only asked to bring the admit card, a form and an extra passport size photo. The rules prohibited watches, jewellery, water bottles or even pens. We provided student with the necessary articles at the centre,” said a correspondent of a school in which around 240 students wrote the exam. “The checking was intense and the students had to undergo three rounds of checking. We asked the students to come in two batches from 7.30 to 8.30 and the second batch from 8.30 to 9.30 am. Students were expected to be in the examination hall by 9.30 am,” he noted. 

While some centres were very strict, other centres were not so strict. “We allowed them to roll up their sleeves and enter the examination hall after going through additional frisking. We also made arrangements where the students could deposit the confiscated articles and later collect them after the examination. Some students even forgot to bring the extra photo. We arranged for a photo booth where they could get their photo taken,” added the correspondent. 

However, students said that the ordeal only added to the stress. “We were at the examination centre hours earlier and no one had told us about the rules. I went wearing shoes but I had to write my exam barefoot. There were other students who had their sleeves cut off. It was difficult to focus on the paper as we almost felt like we were stripped off our dignity,” said Sathish Kumar, a student from Maduravoyal.