Bengaluru: In a significant development in the ongoing CET ‘Janivara row’, the Karnataka Examinations Authority (KEA) has issued an official clarification stating that there is no restriction on students wearing sacred threads (Janivara) during examinations, and that they should not be denied entry on such grounds.
The clarification comes a day after controversy erupted at a CET examination centre in Bengaluru’s Krupanidhi PU College, where students alleged they were asked to remove their sacred threads before being allowed to appear for the exam. The incident had triggered protests by parents and raised questions over the conduct of invigilators and adherence to official guidelines.
According to the KEA’s official communication dated April 24, 2026, the authority reiterated that students appearing for the CET must be allowed to write the examination even if they are wearing religious threads or similar items, as there is no such prohibition under the prescribed dress code norms.
The document further notes that the CET examination was conducted smoothly across 745 centres on April 23 and 24, 2026, with lakhs of students appearing for the test. It emphasises that all guidelines had already been clearly communicated to examination centres and supervisory staff, including instructions to avoid unnecessary restrictions on students.
KEA also clarified that while certain items like ornaments may be restricted as part of standard examination protocol, religious symbols such as Janivara are not included in the prohibited category. The authority has stressed that students should not face any inconvenience or discrimination on this basis.
The clarification implicitly acknowledges concerns raised by parents and students, who had alleged that invigilators at the Bengaluru centre acted beyond the prescribed rules. KEA has now indicated that it will review the incident and take appropriate action if any violations of guidelines are found.
The issue had earlier drawn criticism from various quarters, with parents questioning why such incidents continue despite clear instructions issued after a similar controversy last year. The latest clarification is expected to bring clarity and prevent recurrence of such disputes in future examinations.
Officials have reiterated that ensuring a smooth, fair, and non-discriminatory examination environment remains the top priority, and strict adherence to guidelines by all examination centres will be enforced going forward.
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