“Ensuring proper movement of such a large number of students in a single day amid the pandemic is a big challenge. After the cancellation of board exams this year, conducting NEET and APSC exams simultaneously is the first major challenge for the students. ‘ health,” said a district administration official.
“All steps are being taken to maintain the COVID protocol in the examination centres, though maintaining distance outside the centers may not be easy,” the official said.
A total of 141 centers have been set up in Guwahati and its outskirts for the two examinations. An official of the National Testing Agency (NTA) said that while thermal screening of candidates and masks are mandatory during admission, examinees will not be allowed to exchange any items like water bottles among themselves. An NTA official said that a maximum of 12 students will be allowed in an examination hall.
The official said, “It is a matter of great relief that none of the NEET aspirants in Guwahati are COVID-positive. However, the police and administration have been informed about the crowd with the candidates outside the examination hall. ”
The Government of India has written to the Chief Secretaries of the State, while the Union Education Minister has also written to the Chief Ministers to take all possible measures to control any adversity that may arise for conducting the examination offline.
The APSC exam will start at 9:30 am, while the NEET exam will be held from 2 pm to 5 pm.
“Both the exams will be over by 5 pm. Traffic needs to be carefully managed during the evening hours,” the official said.
In APSC Prelims, 24,000 candidates have to appear from 95 centers in Kamrup (Metro). Kamrup (Metro) Deputy Commissioner Biswajit Pegu said, “Candidates, who are yet to be vaccinated, will have to submit a valid Covid-negative certificate. All other Covid protocols will be strictly followed.”
.