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The Maharashtra University of Health Sciences (MUHS) exams are set to begin in the offline mode today. Those who test positive for Covid-19 will be given a chance to reappear at a later date, said state medical education minister Amit Deshmukh. Over 40,000 second and third-year medical, dental and paramedical undergraduate students will appear for exams conducted by the MUHS from June 10-30. Last week, the Bombay High Court had refused to grant stay after students demanded postponement.

Meanwhile, those appearing for the exams have been asked to take RT-PCR tests and submit Covid-19 negative test reports before entering examination centres on June 10. Those who are unable to provide the reports today before the exam will have to submit them by June 15, as per HC directions.

A statement issued by MUHS said, “Students should produce negative RT-PCR reports with the hall ticket to the examiner or in-charge appointed by the exam centre. In the absence of a negative RT-PCR report, students can produce Rapid Antigen Test reports.”

Despite repeated appeals to conduct online exams, MUHS is set to conduct offline exams amidst Covid-19 situation in the state. Deshmukh said, “The Central Council hasn’t permitted online MUHS exams. It’s also not in line with the examination policy of the university. The HC has already dismissed the petition. This makes it mandatory to take the exam offline.”

The exams are scheduled to be conducted at 173 centres by MUHS, Nashik, which governs all medical and dental colleges of Maharashtra.