Assam Suspends Mobile Internet for 3.5 Hours During Government Recruitment Exam

The Assam government has announced the suspension of mobile internet services across the state for a duration of three and a half hours on September 15, 2024. This decision comes in light of a written examination for recruitment to Grade III posts in the state government, which is expected to draw a significant number of candidates. The internet blackout will take effect from 10 a.m. to 1:30 p.m., coinciding with the examination hours, which are scheduled from 10:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m.

Rationale Behind the Suspension

The notification, issued by Ajay Tewari, Additional Chief Secretary of the Home and Political Department, emphasizes the government's commitment to ensuring a "free, fair, and transparent public examination." The measure aims to prevent any potential law and order issues that could arise during the examination process

In previous instances, the government observed that some candidates resorted to using mobile applications such as Facebook, WhatsApp, and Telegram to engage in unfair practices, including cheating. The authorities expressed concerns that anti-social elements might exploit the situation to spread rumors or destabilize the examination process through social media. As a result, the government deemed it prudent to temporarily disable mobile internet services to eliminate any loopholes that could compromise the integrity of the recruitment process

Examination Details

Approximately 11,23,204 candidates are expected to participate in the examination across 2,305 centers statewide. Among these, 429 centers have been classified as "sensitive" due to their geographical locations and a history of malpractices. The government has implemented stringent security measures at these sensitive centers to ensure a smooth examination process

The decision to suspend internet services is not unprecedented. Similar measures were taken in August 2022 when mobile internet services were shut down for several hours during recruitment examinations for Grade III and IV posts. The government has historically taken such steps to safeguard the examination process, especially in light of past incidents involving paper leaks and widespread cheating

Communication and Connectivity

While mobile internet services will be suspended, voice calls and broadband connectivity through fixed telephone lines will remain operational during the designated hours. This provision allows for essential communication while still addressing the concerns related to potential cheating and disruptions

Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma has previously indicated that the Chief Secretary would have the authority to determine the necessity of internet suspensions during examinations. He has also called for the development of protocols to lock internet services at mobile towers covering examination centers in future instances, indicating a proactive approach to managing the integrity of recruitment processes

Transportation and Support for Candidates

To facilitate the movement of candidates, the Northeast Frontier Railway has organized special trains, undertaking 28 trips to various destinations. This logistical support is crucial for candidates traveling from remote areas, ensuring they can reach their examination centers on time