Non-B'luru students in a bind as AIPMT turns 'lone option'

Last-minute rush to reach B'luru as it's the state's only test centre

With Bengaluru as the only test centre in the entire state, students from other parts of Karnataka set to appear for the AIPMT or NEET-1 on Sunday seem to be facing major inconvenience.

For many, the national exam was a second priority compared to the CET, a few days ago. With the CET and other entrance exams hanging in a balance due to the recent Supreme Court ruling on NEET, appearing for the AIPMT has become the only option.

Wachanashree Patil, a student from Bidar for example, did not get any train or bus reservation in the last moment and has booked a flight from the nearest airport.

“I had registered for AIPMT, but my first was priority CET. It is too late to scrap the CET and ComedK now,” she said. A representative of a coaching institute said that the number of students under it in various parts of the state are, in fact, planning to totally dropout of the AIPMT this year, owing to the confusion.

As many as 6.5 lakh students are set to appear for the AIPMT on Sunday.

Fake communication                                                                                                                                                    
On Saturday, there were reports of a fake SMS from unknown sources that claimed that the ComedK and CET have been cancelled. The SMS also asked students to visit the link of a web address for more information.

Subhas Setty, a parent, said, “The SMS added to the prevailing confusion. I do not know where it came from, there was no number that I could trace. It came in the form of one of those ads," he said.

A notification from the CBSE also highlighted a “fake email message” about the cancellation of the AIPMT on May 1 due to internal issues faced by the Board. The fake message claimed that candidates have to resubmit the application form for the second stage exam to be held on July 24.

The CBSE has asked students not to believe such messages.

VIKASANA PROGRAMME

The Karnataka Examinations Authority - in coordination with the department of PU Education - is organising a capacity-building programme ‘Vikasana’ in 4 subjects through Doordarshan Chandana channel for rural candidates appearing for CET. The episodes will be aired from 8 am to 9 am and 10.30 pm to 11.30 pm till May 3. Physics, chemistry, mathematics and biology subjects will be covered. Study material and videos of all episodes will be hosted on KEA website.