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The revised SOP has provided stricter guidelines for conducting exams during COVID-19 pandemic. Symptomatic candidates will no longer be allowed to appear for the exams, and answer sheets in pen-and-paper based exams will be opened after 72 hours. Read the full story for details.
A revised Standard Operation Procedure (SOP) has been issued by the Indian government for conducting examinations amid COVID-19. The government has made the overall guidelines more strict. As the exams are being conducted with a growing number of COVID-19 cases in India, the government is updating the policy to reinforce the measures put in place for the safety of the students.
The examination authorities have been directed to conduct the exams in shifts so that fewer number of candidates are invited to the centre at a time. This helps the authorities to avoid overcrowding and rush at the exam centres. Candidates appearing for the upcoming examinations can take a look at the important points mentioned in the revised SOP issued by the government given below.
| Full Text of Revised SOP Issued by the Health Ministry on Conducting Exams During COVID19 |
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Guidelines Regarding Self-Declaration in Revised SOP
The revised SOP also maintains that self-declaration form for COVID-19 is to be distributed along with the admit card of the exams. All of the exams that have so far been conducted have already followed this protocol. The SOP has also stated that any candidate or staff that does not meet the self-declaration criteria will not be allowed entry inside the exam centre.
Guidelines for Symptomatic Candidates in Revised SOP
In the revised SOP, the provision which allowed symptomatic candidates to take the exam in isolation if they insisted has been removed. Instead, symptomatic candidates will now be referred to the nearest health centre. Such candidates will either be provided with the opportunity to undertake the exam through alternate means or the exam conducting authority will arrange the exam on a later date after the candidate has been declared to be physically fit.
Guidelines for Persons from Containment Zones in Revised SOP
The Health Ministry has already issued a guideline stating that staff members and candidates belonging from containment zones will not be allowed inside the exam centres. The revised SOP also maintains that such alternate means to take the exam will be arranged for such candidates. They may also be allowed to appear or the exam on a later date.
Also Read: UGC Issues Guidelines for Students Enrolling in ODL Courses
Guidelines for Exam Conducting Authorities in Revised SOP
The revised SOP has also provided instructions to the exam conducting authorities to make appropriate arrangements at the exam centres. The authorities will make arrangement for face covers, masks, hand sanitizer, soap, sodium hypochlorite solution at the examination centres. Stress has been laid for proper arrangements to ensure the safety of students as well as the staff present at the exam centres.
Guidelines for Pen-and-Paper Based Exams in Revised SOP
The invigilators have been instructed to properly sanitise their hands before distributing the question paper. The candidates will also sanitize their hands when receiving or handing over any piece of paper. Proper sanitization of hands will be ensured at every stage of the collection and packing of answer sheets.
As an added precaution, the answer sheet packets will be opened at least 72 hours after the collection of the sheets. Additionally, using saliva to when counting or distributing sheets will also not be allowed.
Also Read: NEET 2020 Exam Day Instructions: COVID-19 Guidelines, What to Carry, Reporting Time
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