Pune: The International Institute of Information Technology (IIIT) Hyderabad on Wednesday conducted a physical entrance examination at iON Digital Zone in Ramtekdi, a hotspot for COVID-19 in Pune. The Higher and Technical Education Minister Uday Samant has said that an inquiry will be conducted as no physical examinations can take place currently, as per the state government’s directives. He further said that as the Disaster Management Act is not violated, only the district collector has all the decision making powers. 

However, the Maharashtra government is yet to lift the ban on conducting any examinations in the physical format due to the widespread COVID-19 pandemic. It has also made the end semester exams for colleges optional. 

Suhas Bawache, Deputy Commissioner of Police (zone V) stated that the institute had submitted a letter prior to the examination, informing that such a test will be conducted and that the police had no authority to grant the permission to conduct the exam.

The Pune Municipal Corporation (PMC) stated that the exam was taken beyond the containment area and no prior permission was required to hold the exam if social distancing norms were followed.

Further, the education department on Wednesday announced that conducting 10th and 12th standard board exams and other university exams will not be possible till the end of July. Common entrance tests for other professional courses also stand cancelled tentatively.

Many parents and students have been raising questions and protesting against IIIT Hyderabad for their poor judgment of conducting a physical exam near a containment zone.