KCET exams begin as violations are thrown to the winds
The Karnataka Common Entrance Test (KCET) examinations for the year 2025 began on Tuesday. However, despite the Karnataka Examination Authority (KEA) implementing stringent rules, students seem to follow the same old patterns, with many choosing to break the rules on the very first day. Numerous candidates arrived at examination centers wearing full-throated shirts, mobile phones, watches, and rings, leading to exhaustion among officials tasked with conducting security checks.
The KCET is conducted for admissions to professional courses such as Engineering, Agricultural Sciences, Veterinary Science, Pharmacy, Naturopathy, Yoga, and B.Sc. Nursing, among others. For the first time, a "payscale entry" system has been introduced. Additionally, there was a mandatory Kannada test yesterday for candidates from border regions and non-Kannada speaking backgrounds.
This year, over 331,000 students have registered for the KCET, with examinations being conducted across 755 centers. Today’s schedule includes Physics from 10:30 AM and Chemistry at 2:30 PM, while Mathematics and Biology will take place on April 17.
Despite the KEA's efforts to enforce strict rules, violations were rampant. Students arrived at examination centers in attire that breached the guidelines, including full-throated shirts, mobile devices, watches, and jewelry. The extensive checks conducted by officials to ensure compliance with the dress code and other regulations have proven to be a significant challenge.
Interestingly, while students flouted the rules, parents have expressed appreciation for the KEA's stringent measures aimed at maintaining exam integrity. This year, the KEA has taken additional steps, including conducting the exams via webcasting and using facial recognition technology to verify candidates' details. The authority had previously communicated to students that specific clothing guidelines were in place, prohibiting the wearing of full-throated shirts, denim jeans, and excessive luggage pockets, as well as any metal items. Despite this, many students ignored these regulations on the first day.
Most students appeared in full-throated shirts and jeans, alongside jewelry, complicating the process for staff tasked with screening candidates before they could enter the examination rooms. Yet, despite the chaos, the first day of examinations was conducted smoothly, with two additional days of exams scheduled to follow similar strict protocols.
With the ongoing challenges, it remains to be seen how the remaining examinations will unfold, but the trend of rule violations raises concerns regarding adherence to the regulations set by the KEA.
