CBSE re-conducts AIPMT exam

New Delhi/ Chandigarh/ Thiruvananthapuram, July 25

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The CBSE on Saturday "successfully" conducted the All India Pre-Medical Test (AIPMT) for medical and dental courses after the Supreme Court cancelled the examination held on May 3 following the leak of the question paper. A nun was denied entry into the examination hall for the exam in Thiruvananthapuram after she refused to remove her veil and Holy cross as required under the CBSE's new dress code.

"In compliance of the orders of the Supreme Court, the Central Board of Secondary Education conducted the AIPMT examination today (Saturday) successfully without any untoward incident," the board said in a statement.

"A total of 6,32,625 candidates were registered for this examination, out of which only 4,22,859 candidates downloaded the admit card. The examination was conducted at 1,065 centres in 50 cities throughout the country and abroad," it added.

The board said it made "strict security arrangements" to ensure fair conduct of the examination and all candidates were frisked before the test.

The apex court cancelled the May 3 examination following the leak of the question paper and circulation of the answer keys through electronic devices across 10 states.

The court, by its June 15 verdict in which it declared the previous exam cancelled, had given CBSE four weeks’ time to re-conduct the test and declare results.

Frisking causes inconvenience to students

Some 15,700 candidates appeared for the AIPMT exam held in 29 centres in the tricity.

Intensive frisking at exam centers left candidates hassled, with authorities even asking students to remove their shirts search them thoroughly.

Attendance for the re-examination was thinner than the turn out for the May 3 exam. Experts attribute this decline to the delay in examination, which has likely resulted in several students securing admissions in private medical colleges.

Sister Saiba, who was to take the test at the Jawahar Central School in Thiruvananthapuram, said she sought permission to write the examination with her veil and cross.

However, the school Principal told her about the guidelines issued by the Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE). She then requested for a separate room to write the examination without the veil and cross, but it was not accepted by the school authorities, she told mediapersons.

"I requested that I may be given a separate room where I will remove the veil and cross and write the test, but that was not allowed," she said.

The Principal told her that she was also a Christian and understood her plight, but as per CBSE guidelines, veil and Holy cross cannot be permitted inside the examination hall.

Many students were seen removing head scarfs, ear rings and all other articles banned before entering the hall at various examination centres in the state. They were allowed inside only after body frisking.

The Supreme Court had yesterday refused to entertain plea of an Islamic organisation that Muslim girl applicants be allowed to wear 'hijab' (scarf), a customary religious dress, while appearing for the AIPMT.

"Faith is something different from wearing some kind of cloth," a three-judge bench headed by Chief Justice H L Dattu stated, adding the AIPMT was being held again at its direction and some "reasonable restrictions" were needed.

Kerala High Court had earlier granted conditional permission to two Muslim girls to appear for the test wearing hijab.

In the backdrop of large scale irregularities in the AIPMT held in May this year, the apex court had directed CBSE to conduct a second test following which CBSE imposed a strict dress code, banning jeweleries, hair pins, head scarf or veils, shoes, watches and all electronic devices.

Reacting to the incident, Syro Malabar Church spokesperson Father Paul Thelekkat, said it was "unfortunate" that the nun was not permitted to write the test.

"The Catholic church does not consider veil as the most important religious symbol of the Catholic faith. At the same time, we do not subscribe to the view of the Supreme court Chief Justice that 3-4 hours without veil does not make any difference. It does make and it is up to the citizen to take the decision," he said. — TNS/ Agencies