Karnataka swearing-in ceremony casts shadow on KCET

BENGALURU: In view of the swearing-in ceremony of the newly elected chief minister and deputy CM in the city on Saturday, measures have been taken to ensure that students appearing for the Karnataka Common Entrance Test (KCET) are not affected.

KCET will be held on Saturday and Sunday in two sessions — from 10.30 am to 11.50 am and from 2.30 pm to 3.50 pm. It will take place in 592 centres across the state, with 121 in Bengaluru. Of the 121 centres, 11 are in the vicinity of Sri Kanteerava Stadium where the ceremony will be held at 12.30 pm.

Several measures have been taken by Bengaluru City Police, Bengaluru Traffic Police and Karnataka Examination Authority (KEA) to ensure that students appearing for KCET are not affected. KEA has advised students to reach the centres near the stadium around 8.30 am to ensure that they are not stuck in traffic.

“The authority has taken appropriate measures to ensure students reach the centres without any delay owing to the oath-taking ceremony on Saturday. Students should be present at their respective centres by 8.30 am. This applies to students who appear for the Mathematics paper also,” said Ramya S, KEA Executive Director.

Ramya said students may take police assistance to reach their centres by showing their admission cards.
Meanwhile, students appearing for KCET at St Joseph’s Indian PU College, Vittal Mallya Road, which is near the stadium, will be served breakfast and lunch at the centre. As a precautionary measure, Bengaluru Traffic Police have advised students who write the test in the afternoon to use Vittal Mallya Road and St Marks Road and enter the college premises through the UB City entrance.

A similar situation prevailed during the conduct of NEET on May 7. Students had complained of NEET clashing with Prime Minister Modi’s rally on the same day. Several measures were taken to ensure that the students were not affected by the rally.