Jammers to check cheating in exams

Mangalore Today News Network

New Delhi, Feb 11, 2016, DHNS: Low-powered jammers to block data connectivity can now be installed at examination centres to prevent students from using radio devices in cheating.

The Centre has granted permission to all statutory bodies which conduct examinations to use them in “sensitive centres”.

The Cabinet Secretariat, which released the policy on Wednesday, made it clear that organisers, however, can deploy the device only at “sensitive centres”.

The announcement comes months after many students were caught cheating in the All India Pre-Medical and Pre-Dental Test using sophisticated bluetooth devices. The test had to be re-conducted by the CBSE after a Supreme Court order.

For installation of the jammers, the examination bodies will have to seek prior approval of the Cabinet Secretariat.

“Only those jammers which have been produced by the approved vendors can be installed,” the secretariat said. Bharat Electronics of Bengaluru and Electronic Corporation of India of Hyderabad, have been approved for supplying the jammers.

Exam centres can be marked as “sensitive” for the purpose of deployment of jammers either on the basis of past experiences or any “other inputs,” the notification said.