Editor,
I would like to draw the attention of the government of Arunachal Pradesh, the APPSC and the APSSB towards a serious problem regarding recruitment examination, particularly the JE (civil) RWD, scheduled to be held on 25 of April, 2021.
With the presence of a stable and steady network, cheating becomes easier, especially for MCQ styled question papers, promoting the cheating culture among candidates, leading to a massive disadvantage for the serious and hardworking aspirants.
With advances in technology, cheats too have gone high-tech, using cellphones, wireless earpieces, Bluetooth devices and even transmitters to get answers.
However, the internet is no longer a recreational avenue that can be shut down at will. It has become inseparable from the smooth conduct of businesses, personal lives and even essential commodities. Therefore, banning internet across the state or even a district to prevent cheating in exams is as draconian as it gets.
Signal/network jammers seem to be the most efficient weapon currently at our disposal. For the first time, jammers were used in 2015 during tests for admission to the country’s top medical and engineering colleges. Universities like the DU, JNU and Jamia Milia Islamia were also asked to use jammers ahead of their examination in 2016.
Under the present policy, low-powered jammers for deployment in the examination halls can be acquired from the Electronics Corporation of India Ltd (ECIL) and the Bharat Electronics Limited (BEL) on rental basis, based on requirement furnished by the examination conducting bodies. The cabinet secretariat had also suggested that the examination calendar and venues be shared with the two vendors, keeping in mind that inviting open tenders from unauthorized manufacturers is not allowed and will be treated as violation of norms.
I earnestly hope and request the authorities concerned to take up the right preventive measures in the larger interest of the unemployed youths of the state.
A concerned citizen,
New Delhi