Bengaluru, 21 June

Tight security arrangements were maintained with heavy deployment of police personnel in Karnataka on Sunday afternoon, with candidates and locals alike hoping for the smooth conduct of the examination.

The usual excitement of first-time NEET aspirants was missing. "The enthusiasm of writing NEET for the first time is not there now," students said. Many arrived with anxiety, fearing fresh confusion or irregularities.

"All the students writing the NEET exam were praying that nothing would go wrong," locals observed. The uncertainty has left students distressed.

Students said they have worked hard and undergone training throughout the year. They appealed to the government to conduct the exam with strict security so that their efforts would not be wasted.

The exam was rescheduled due to an alleged "paper leak". The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI), which is probing the case, has made several arrests. CBSE students also faced problems with the re-evaluation process for their board exams.

The security arrangement, therefore, had been increased massively.

Across the State, jammers, CCTV cameras and frisking arrangements had been put in place, while invigilators and security personnel had been briefed ahead of the examination, officials said.

In Kalaburagi, among other places, CRPF personnel were deployed.

Chief Minister DK Shivakumar wished the students best of luck, adding that “I am hopeful that the (Union) government has learned a lesson."

Home Minister Priyank Kharge assured that the State government had taken proactive measures to ensure the smooth conduct of the exam. “I am hopeful that the Central Government will also do its duty and ensure that nothing untoward happens".