Tensions Erupt During Karnataka Police Constable Exam Over OMR Sheet Discrepancies
Chaos at Tikota College During Police Exam
On Sunday, significant unrest occurred at the 'Shri Sharadamba PU College' examination center in Tikota, Vijayapura district, Karnataka, as candidates protested when they discovered discrepancies between the serial numbers on their question papers and OMR sheets during the civil police constable recruitment exam. This confusion led many candidates to leave the examination hall, resulting in considerable disruption on campus.
Reason Behind the Unrest
According to the Karnataka Examination Authority (KEA), the question papers and OMR answer sheets were distributed as per regulations for the 9:30 AM exam. However, some candidates claimed that the serial number on their OMR sheets did not match that of their question papers. Considering this a potential case of malpractice, they refused to take the exam and exited the hall. Center supervisors clarified that KEA's standard operating procedures do not require the serial numbers on the OMR sheets and question papers to match. Candidates only need to correctly fill in the question paper series code, version code, and their registration number on the OMR sheet.
Other Centers Report Similar Issues
District officials noted that similar confusion was reported at other examination centers, but after officials explained the process, candidates resumed their exams. However, some candidates at the Tikota center remained dissatisfied and left the premises.
Candidates Denied Re-Entry
Officials stated that later, candidates requested to re-enter the examination hall, but their request was denied as per examination rules, which prohibit re-entry after leaving to maintain fairness and security. Some candidates who had exited reportedly caused a disturbance outside and attempted to push through the gates to re-enter. Authorities intervened, managing the situation with minimal force. Despite the chaos, over 100 candidates inside the center completed their exams, and KEA provided additional time to compensate for the confusion.
KEA Issues Clarification
Following the incident, KEA released a statement addressing the misinformation circulating on social media, which led some candidates to believe that the OMR sheet number and question paper number needed to match. The Executive Director of KEA clarified that nowhere in the official notification, instruction booklet, or verbal instructions was it stated that the OMR number and question paper number must be identical. The OMR answer sheet only requires the question paper series code and version code to be filled in.
KEA urged the public to refrain from spreading false or misleading information regarding the examination process on social media.
Student Reactions
A student participating in the police constable exam expressed, "We are seeking justice from Chief Minister D.K. Shivakumar and Home Minister Priyank Kharge for the injustice we faced today. We were deeply shocked. 99% of students did not take the exam... We should have received the question paper and OMR sheets by 9:30 or 10 AM, but they were given to us at 11 AM. We contacted the DC and SP, but no one responded or spoke to us. We have been wronged and should be allowed to retake the written exam. This is why we did not take the exam today... If we do not receive justice, we will resort to extreme measures."
Social Media Coverage
#WATCH | Vijayapura, Karnataka | Tensions flared after students appearing for the Police Constable exam at Tikota Sharadamba PU College exam centre noticed that the number on the OMR sheet given to them did not match the number on the question paper, causing some students to… https://t.co/BVeGEFFSWw pic.twitter.com/3bRyBamoYi
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