Karwar: Deputy Commissioner (DC) of Uttara Kannada, Gangubai Maankar, announced that the second PUC examinations for the current year are scheduled from March 1 to 22. A total of 14,401 students, including regular, private, and repeaters, are set to appear across the district, with 31 examination centers prepared to accommodate them.

During a meeting held at the DC hall in Karwar to discuss the examination preparations, DC Maankar emphasized the importance of conducting the examinations smoothly and transparently. She instructed the Pre-University Education Department officials to ensure all necessary precautions are in place, including the installation of CCTVs at all examination centers to prevent irregularities.

Maankar also highlighted the prohibition of electronic devices, such as smartwatches and mobile phones, within examination centers. Officials have been directed to communicate this rule clearly to students and parents and to enforce thorough checks at center entrances.

To ensure a comfortable examination environment, the DC mandated the provision of basic amenities, including proper lighting, drinking water, and toilet facilities. Additionally, measures should be taken to prevent any transport shortages for students traveling from rural areas to their examination centers.

In support of student mobility, the Karnataka State Road Transport Corporation will offer free travel to second PUC examination candidates on both regular and express buses, facilitating their commute between residences and examination centers.

For security and confidentiality, media will be restricted from filming inside examination halls on the day of the exam. However, filming the arrival of students and the exterior of the examination centers is permitted.

Health and safety measures include the deployment of health personnel with first aid kits at all examination centers, as directed by the District Health and Family Welfare Officer.

Further instructions from DC Maankar include the videographic documentation of the question paper bundles' retrieval from the treasury and their subsequent opening at examination centers. The transportation of question and answer papers must be GPS-tracked, with adequate police security arranged for examination centers and secure rooms. The DC also emphasized the importance of timely delivery of question papers to all centers, proper vehicle arrangement, and the appointment of guides.

In response to potential misinformation during the examination period, Maankar warned of strict action against those spreading false news about the question papers. A curfew under Section 144 will be imposed within a 200m radius around examination centers, and nearby Xerox shops will be closed to maintain exam integrity.

The DC stressed the need for all officers involved in examination duties to understand their responsibilities and work in coordination to avoid irregularities and ensure a smooth examination process.

Assistant DC Prakash Rajput, Deputy Divisional Officer Kanishka, Deputy Director of the PUC Department Satish Naik, and other officers assigned to examination duties were present at the meeting.