Assam Suspends Mobile Internet for 8 Hours to Prevent Malpractices During Grade III Exam

Mobile internet services in Assam will be suspended for eight hours on Sunday to prevent malpractice during the written examination for Grade III posts. This marks the second time in September that mobile services have been disabled for this purpose.

According to an official announcement, the suspension will be in effect from 8:30 AM to 4:30 PM. The State Level Recruitment Commission (SLRC) for Class-III Posts urged residents to cooperate with this measure to ensure a free, fair, and transparent recruitment examination, which is vital for the future of the state’s youth.

Mobile internet services were previously suspended for three and a half hours on September 15 during the first phase of the Grade III written exam.

The Assam Direct Recruitment Examination (ADRE) for Grade III posts will be conducted in two sessions on Sunday: the first from 9 AM to 12 PM and the second from 1:30 PM to 4:30 PM. Approximately 734,080 candidates are eligible to take the exams statewide.

The official release highlighted concerns that unscrupulous individuals might use mobile applications for unfair practices, such as spreading rumors through social media or selling fake question papers. Therefore, the decision to disable mobile internet services aims to eliminate any potential loopholes that could undermine the integrity of the recruitment process.

To facilitate a smooth examination process, candidates are required to arrive at least 90 minutes prior to the start of the exam for thorough checks. A standard operating procedure (SOP) has been established to address concerns about improper frisking, particularly complaints from female candidates. If candidates experience any issues, they are instructed to report immediately to the exam center’s in-charge.

Additionally, six special examination trains are being operated by the Northeast Frontier Railway to assist ADRE candidates. In total, 18.50 lakh candidates have applied for various Grade III positions, while 13.70 lakh have applied for different Grade IV roles. Written tests for Grade IV posts will be held on separate dates.

This is not the first time mobile services have been suspended during the ADRE; during the inaugural exam conducted in August 2022, mobile internet services were disabled for four hours in most districts.