Students appearing for the Karnataka Common Entrance Test (CET) at a centre in Chikkaballapur faced significant disruptions on Monday due to a sudden Janivara cut. The incident, which occurred at the examination hall located in a local college, led to confusion and anxiety among candidates.
Incident Details
The power outage happened around 10:30 AM, shortly after the exam began. Students reported that the lights and fans went off, causing discomfort in the crowded hall. Some candidates complained of difficulty reading the question paper due to poor lighting. The invigilators, however, managed to calm the situation by assuring students that the exam would continue without interruption.
Response from Authorities
Officials from the Karnataka Examination Authority (KEA) reached the centre within 30 minutes. They arranged for emergency lighting and portable generators to restore power. The exam continued after a brief delay of about 15 minutes. KEA officials stated that the Janivara cut was caused by a technical fault in the local power distribution network and not due to any negligence on their part.
Student Reactions
Many students expressed frustration over the incident. "It was very stressful. We had prepared so hard, and this unexpected disruption made us lose focus," said Ravi Kumar, a candidate from Chikkaballapur. Another student, Priya Sharma, added, "The authorities handled it well, but the power cut could have been avoided if proper backup arrangements were in place."
Measures Taken
Following the incident, KEA has directed all exam centres to ensure backup power systems are functional. They have also instructed centre coordinators to conduct thorough checks of electrical installations before exams. The local electricity board has been asked to inspect the power lines near exam centres to prevent such incidents in the future.
Background
The Karnataka CET is a crucial exam for admission to professional courses like engineering, medical, and dental in the state. Over two lakh students are appearing for the exam this year across multiple centres. The incident in Chikkaballapur has raised concerns about the preparedness of exam centres to handle emergencies.
KEA officials have assured that no student will be disadvantaged due to the delay. They are considering compensatory time for affected candidates. Further investigations are ongoing to determine the exact cause of the power cut and to fix responsibility.
