First day of Telangana Group-1 Mains concludes amid security, delays

HYDERABAD: The first day of the Group-1 Mains examination in Telangana concluded smoothly as per schedule, despite ongoing petitions seeking the cancellation of the government’s GO 29.

The Supreme Court, earlier in the day, refused to postpone the exams or issue interim orders, allowing the exams to proceed as planned. The Mains exams began at 2 PM and will continue until October 27.

However, many candidates faced difficulties as police strictly enforced the rules, barring entry to those who arrived even a minute late. Several candidates, including some in Secunderabad, were turned away at the gates despite pleading with staff to be allowed in. One candidate, identified as Mathews, attempted to jump a wall to enter the exam centre after being denied entry. He was detained by the police and taken to Begumpet Police Station.

In another instance at Dundigal, a candidate mistakenly went to the wrong exam centre. A police officer noticed the error and helped her by offering a ride on his bike to the correct centre, allowing her to take the exam on time. Similarly, in Keesara, Traffic Inspector Venkataiah assisted a late-arriving candidate by providing transportation in a patrol vehicle, ensuring he reached the Geetanjali Engineering College exam centre in time.

Earlier in the day, uncertainty loomed as candidates awaited the Supreme Court’s decision on whether the exams would be postponed. The court, however, declined to intervene, citing that candidates had already reached the exam centres. It also directed the High Court to complete its hearing by November 20. With the Supreme Court’s ruling, the exams began under heavy security, with police implementing Section 144 around the exam centres and monitoring the situation closely through CCTV cameras.