The Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE) has come out with the dress code for students taking the upcoming NEET exam, scheduled on May 6. Students have to take extra care about what they wear on that day.
Girls have been instructed to wear light coloured half-sleeve tops. That is not all; there should not be brooches, badges, large buttons, or floral designs on them. However, they have been allowed to choose between wearing trousers or salwar. Most girls complained they have to go shopping for the attire that fits the board’s guidelines.
Boys have been directed to wear light coloured clothes like a half-sleeve shirt and denim/trousers. Large shirt buttons are not allowed. Wearing kurta-pyjama is a strict no-no for both boys and girls. Boys and girls can wear only sandals or slippers but not shoes to the exam hall. However, Muslim students have been allowed to wear hijab and burqa, but have to reach the centre in advance to be checked.
It may be recalled that there was chaos at the exam centres last year, as students and parents claimed they were not made aware of the dress code and picked up arguments with officials. Unrelenting, officials trimmed full sleeves and girls were told to remove jewellery. This year, during the online registration process, one of the questions was whether the candidate would wear an outfit that went by the dress code, with a 'yes’ and 'no’ option. This left students puzzled as after answering the question, the next page for registration cropped up.
S Anand, a NEET first-timer, said, "I was unaware of all these rules and restrictions as I only knew of the drama before last year’s NEET. It seems I should first educate my parents about the dress code and if I do not have clothes that meet the requirements, have to buy them as soon as possible."
Reacting to the dress code, a girl student said the rules are too restrictive. "Girls’ clothes include designs, flowers, large buttons and full sleeves. The restrictions make us mad but we have to abide by the dress code."
A parent recalled the chaos last year when guardians had to run around to find clothes that meet the dress code.
CBSE has also barred students from carrying communication devices to the centres. The board stated that no arrangement would be made at the exam centres for keeping any items belonging to the candidates.
Other restricted items include geometry or pencil box, handbags, belt, cap, ornaments, watch and any other metallic item.
