CBSE: Asking NEET candidate to remove inner wear act of overzealousness

The Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE) said on Tuesday that the 'unfortunate' incident in Kerala regarding a NEET candidate being asked to remove her inner wear at an examination centre is a "consequence of overzealousness".

The CBSE, which conducts the National Eligibility cum Entrance Test (NEET) for admission to MBBS and BDS courses, defended the stringent dress code as a measure to secure the sanctity of the examination.

"The incident reported at Kannur is unfortunate and a consequence of the overzealousness of a few persons involved in the process. However, inconvenience caused to the students inadvertently in the process is regretted by the Board," CBSE spokesperson Rama Sharma said.

"Candidates were repeatedly instructed through website,information bulletins, printed instructions on admit cards and individual communication through emails and SMSs about the steps to be taken before entering the exam centres in thehigh-value and high-stake examination.

NEET 2017: Female candidate in Kerala forced to remove inner-wear before entering examination hall

"In order to secure the sanctity of this prestigious examination and to do justice to the genuine and sincere students and parents, CBSE has left no stone unturned to conduct the exam in a fair manner," she said.

As many students were unaware about the dos and don'ts, they faced embarrassment in various parts of the country while appearing for the NEET on Sunday as the invigilators asked them to remove their inner wear, cut sleeves of their tops, asked them to change denims and much more.

Whereas a 18-year-old girl from Kannur alleged that she was asked to remove her inner wear before giving the entrance test, another candidate was asked to remove the metal buttons on her jeans.

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Several boys wearing full sleeve shirts were told thatonly half-sleeve shirts were allowed in the examination hall. In such a scenario, the candidates were left with no choice and had to "customise" their clothing as per the norms. 

More than 11 lakh MBBS and BDS aspirants appeared for NEET on May 7 at over 1,900 centres across the country. As per the rules sanctioned by the CBSE to prevent cheating, the students should bring their admit cards alongwith the required documents only.

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The don'ts include big buttons, brooches and heeled shoes for female candidates and kurta-pyjama, full-sleeve shirts andshoes for male candidates. The candidates are also not allowed to carry electronic devices inside the exam centre.

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With PTI inputs