The Joint Entrance Examination (JEE) Main begins today, September 1, across the country amid a surge in coronavirus cases and significant disagreement from students over the entrance exam. The National Testing Agency (NTA) has released an extensive list of guidelines keeping COVID-19 pandemic in mind and assured candidates that all-important steps will be followed to maintain social distancing during the entrance exam. It is the first day of JEE Main 2020 exam and the second session for the entrance test is ongoing. Many pictures from different exam centres have surfaced on social media that shows how NTA has ensured its COVID-19 guidelines to be followed. On the other hand, there are also photos displaying the opposite scenario than what was expected. No social distancing at exam centres, lack of hand gloves and many more, students have faced many challenges, and their concern and fear over COVID-19 spread have increased even more.

Mandatory face masks and gloves, staggered entry and seating to ensure social distancing are some of the guidelines that students have been asked to follow at the examination centres. They were also allowed to carry their own water bottles and hand sanitizers. However, the strictness does not seem to be the same for all the centres. A Twitter user wrote, “I went inside the exam centre. A new mask was provided. But no gloves. Why they didn't provide gloves!?” He furthered stated how wearing a mask during the exam gave him a headache. “Wearing mask for 4 hours was most challenging. Now I have a headache.”

Here’s the Tweet:

Eventually, more photos surfaced on the internet that shows students and their parents at different exam centres from across the country. The pictures clearly show that social distancing was not really followed outside the exam hall, and the streets are covered with a huge crowd, wearing face masks, as the students gear up to appear in the entrance exam during the pandemic.

JEE Main First Day Exam in Pics:

No Social Distancing

Here's Another Pic From Outside a JEE Main Exam Centre

Crowd at Mumbai Local

Heavy Rain, Flood, No Social Distancing

It is a crucial time for students and NTA, as a conducting body. While the COVID-19 guidelines were strictly followed inside the exam hall, the centres seem to have faced increasing challenges related to the norm. JEE Main 2020 exam is scheduled to be held between September 1 and September 6 and NEET 2020 for medical courses will be conducted on September 13.

(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Sep 01, 2020 03:50 PM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).