JEE (Main) starts at 85 centres in Odisha
BHUBANESWAR: The Joint Entrance Examination (JEE) Main 2021 conducted by the National Testing Agency (NTA) started in the state at 85 examinations centres set up in 17 select cities and towns. Sources said more than 40,000 candidates appeared for the computer-based examinations to get admission into Bachelor of Technology (BTech), Bachelor of Architecture (B.Arch) and Bachelor of Planning (B.Plan) courses.
The cities and towns where the examinations were held are Cuttack, Bhubaneswar, Puri, Balasore, Kendrapara, Mayurbhanj, Bhadrak, Rourkela, Dhenkanal, Jajpur, Jagatsinghpur, Keonjhar, Angul, Sambalpur, Berhampur, Koraput and Jeypore. The NTA had already asked the centres in-charges to ensure implementation of the Covid-19 guidelines at the examination centres. Accordingly, the examination halls were sanitised and candidates were seen wearing masks and following Covid-19 norms.
The exams have been conducted in two sittings – 9 am to 12 noon and 3 pm to 6 pm. The candidates had been asked to enter the examination centres before half an hour. The examination, which started today will continue till February 26. The examinations are usually held in January every year, but this year it has been deferred because of Covid-19 pandemic. The NTA has also brought a number of changes in exam pattern this time. The number of attempts offered in a year has been doubled while there has been a change in the exam pattern too. The number of questions asked in each subject has gone up to 30 of which candidates can attempt 25 questions per section.