First phase of NEET begins

Bhubaneswar: As many as 30,000 students from Odisha appeared in the first phase of National Eligibility Cum Entrance Test (NEET-I) conducted by Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE) on Sunday.

About 6, 50, 000 students appeared in the entrance test, which is being conducted across the country as per the directive of the Supreme Court.

For Odisha, CBSE has chosen three cities—Bhubaneswar, Berhampur and Rourkela— where the students are appearing in the test at several centres.

While the test began at 10 AM, the students were asked to report at their respective centres by 7.30 AM.

In a bid to make the test more transparent, CBSE has asked the students to come to the examination hall only with their admit cards as no other articles will be allowed inside the hall. No student will be allowed to enter the hall with mobile phone, wrist watch and other electronic gadgets.

Besides, the board has also asked the students not to come to the examination centres wearing shoes.

CBSE will provide pens, pencils and other items to candidates in the entrance hall. The Board has also installed mobile jammers in all the examination halls.