HYDERABAD: The Jawaharlal Nehru Technological University - Hyderabad (JNTU-H) will conduct the TS-EAMCET 2020 for 'engineering' candidates from Wednesday. Over two lakh candidates, including 1.42 lakh from the engineering stream, have applied for the Telangana State Engineering, Agriculture & Medical (Pharmacy, Veterinary) Common Entrance Test.
All Covid-19 protocols, including social distancing, would be followed during the exams to prevent the spread of infection. All candidates have been asked to bring a signed self-declaration stating that they are not Covid-positive or not identified as a potential carrier of the virus. They have also been asked to bring along with them face masks, gloves, a 50 ml personal hand sanitiser bottle and a transparent water bottle.
Speaking to the media here on Tuesday, TS EAMCET convenor Govardhan Reddy said: "Thermal screening is a must at all the test centres in the State. If any candidate shows COVD symptoms, he or she will not be allowed to take the exam until they prove that they are not the carriers of the virus."
Meanwhile, Telangana State Council of Higher Education (TSCHE) chairman T Papi Reddy said: "The fate of candidates who cannot write the exam if they are infected by the virus will be decided in consultation with the government."
According to Govardhan Reddy, of the 1.45 lakh candidates who applied from engineering stream, over 1.35 lakh candidates have already downloaded their hall tickets.
The engineering exam would be conducted on September 9, 10, 11 and 14, while exam for pharmacy, agriculture and veterinary streams would be held on September 23 and 24. The exam for engineering will be held in two sessions: from 9 am to 12 noon and 3 pm to 6 pm.
"Around 17,000 candidates will be taking the examination in each session at 20 test centres, including four in Andhra Pradesh, at over 90 exam venues. Just a little over 100 candidates will be appearing for the exam in one session from each exam venue," TSCH chairman Papi Reddy said. "Standard Operating Procedure (SOP) to keep COVID-19 protocol in place will be followed for all the CET Exams," he said.
"Attestation on filled-in online application form by a Gazetted Officer or college principal, where the candidate last studied, is not mandatory this year. This is to ensure that the students don’t have to travel far," the EAMCET 20 Convenor said.