WBSSC mandates slippers for Group C, D exams: Covered shoes not allowed at centres, details here

The West Bengal School Service Commission (WBSSC) has issued strict exam-day guidelines for candidates appearing in the upcoming Group C and Group D recruitment examinations. As per the latest instructions printed on the admit cards, candidates will not be allowed to wear covered shoes inside the examination centre. Instead, they must wear slippers or flat sandals. The exams are scheduled to be held across various centres in West Bengal.

The Commission has said the step has been taken to strengthen security and prevent unfair means during the recruitment process. Candidates have been advised to carefully read all instructions mentioned on their admit cards before reporting to the exam venue.

Why the footwear rule has been introduced

The SSC’s chairman, Siddhartha Majumdar, told PTI that covered footwear makes frisking difficult and could pose challenges for effective security screening at scale. He drew parallels with airport security checks, noting that if candidates are willing to remove shoes at airports for safety, similar precautions should be acceptable at examination halls.

Majumdar explained the footwear restriction was also aimed at preventing concealment of mobile phones or other electronic gadgets inside shoes — a concern heightened by recent allegations of devices being hidden in shoes during other public exams and possibly used with the aid of artificial intelligence tools to answer questions.

“Covered footwear would make frisking difficult and could hinder efforts to prevent unfair practices,” he said, urging candidates to cooperate.

Move aimed at preventing use of unfair means

The footwear restriction has been introduced to reduce the chances of hiding electronic devices or other prohibited items inside shoes. With a large number of candidates expected to appear for the exams, the Commission is taking extra precautions to ensure a fair and transparent process.

Apart from footwear restrictions, candidates are also barred from carrying mobile phones, smart watches, Bluetooth devices, calculators, or any electronic gadgets. Jewellery and metallic items should also be avoided.

What candidates should do

Candidates appearing for the WBSSC Group C and D exams must:

• Carefully read the instructions printed on the admit card
• Wear slippers or flat sandals on exam day
• Avoid carrying prohibited items
• Reach the examination centre well before the reporting time

To check the official notice, candidates should visit the WBSSC’s official website and download their admit card from the relevant recruitment section. All exam-day guidelines are mentioned in the admit card notification.

Candidates are advised to follow the rules strictly to avoid last-minute inconvenience.

With inputs from PTI.
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