Kerala entrance exams in Gulf under threat due to war, alternate test likely

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: With the war in West Asia intensifying, the conduct of the state engineering and pharmacy entrance examinations in Gulf countries has come under uncertainty. The online exam is scheduled to be held from April 17 to 23.

A total of 527 students have applied to appear for the exam at the Dubai Indian School centre. Students from other Gulf countries are also scheduled to write the exam there. However, due to the war, schools have been closed and travel, including flights, has been affected.

Officials from the Entrance Commissioner’s office have not received permission to travel to Dubai to oversee the exam. Efforts to set up an additional exam centre have also failed.

The government has called a meeting on April 4 to review the situation. There is a proposal to postpone the exams in the Gulf and conduct them in May if conditions improve. A final decision is expected by April 10.

The entrance exam results were originally scheduled to be announced on May 10, with rank lists to be published by June 20. These dates may change if the Gulf exams are delayed. Exams conducted by CBSE and others in the Gulf have already been postponed until April 10.

During the COVID period, the entrance exam in Dubai was conducted under the supervision of the Indian Consulate General. Exam halls were monitored through cameras, with live feeds observed on large screens at the Entrance Commissioner’s office in Thiruvananthapuram. Question papers and OMR sheets were then sent to Dubai via air cargo under sealed conditions.

Now, since the exam is being conducted online, there is no need to send question papers or answer sheets. The Entrance Commissioner’s office said that it is possible to conduct the exam on another convenient date. The exam can be held as soon as schools reopen in the Gulf.

Exam centre may be provided in Kerala
Authorities are considering allowing students to write the exam in Kerala if they are able to travel. However, limited flights and high ticket prices may create difficulties for students and parents.

Since the exam is online, there are multiple sets of question papers available. Questions will not be repeated, and the selection of questions will be handled by software.