Guwahati, September 14, 2024 – Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma announced on Saturday that the decision to suspend internet services during the upcoming government recruitment examination on September 15 will be determined by the chief secretary. A new protocol is being developed to block mobile tower signals around examination centres to curb malpractice.
Speaking at a public event, Sarma clarified that a final decision on internet suspension is still pending. “The chief secretary will decide whether to cut internet services or not, and will issue an order if necessary,” Sarma informed reporters.
This follows the precedent set in August 2022, when mobile internet services were suspended for four hours during the Grade III and IV exams conducted by the State Level Recruitment Commission (SLRC). The state government is now working on a long-term protocol for managing internet access during exams to ensure fairness.
Over 11.23 lakh candidates will sit for the Grade III written exam across 2,305 centres in 28 districts on Sunday. In a move to facilitate travel for candidates, the Northeast Frontier Railway (NFR) will run 12 special trains and extend routes for four regular services.
The ongoing recruitment process is a large-scale effort, with more than 18.50 lakh candidates vying for Grade III posts and 13.70 lakh for Grade IV, underscoring the importance of maintaining strict exam protocols across Assam.
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