GUWAHATI: The Assam government has prohibited mobile internet services across the state for the upcoming Assam Direct Recruitment Examination, to be held on Sunday, October 27.
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The HSLC-level post exam will be held in the morning from 9:00 am to 11:30 am, while Class VIII-level posts will be held in the afternoon from 1:30 pm to 4:00 pm.
In the issued notification, authorities cited that the temporary internet shutdown aligns with both the Indian Telegraph Act of 1885 and the 2017 Temporary Suspension of Telecom Services Rules.
Also, the government clarified that while mobile internet and mobile data services will be disabled, voice calls and broadband services over fixed telephone lines will remain operational during the suspension hours.
The issued notification also emphasised that suspending internet services would prevent the spread of rumours and reduce risks of unlawful activities that could disrupt the examination process and public safety.
This order underscores that violators may face penalties under Section 223 of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, 2023, and other relevant provisions.
Over 1.3 million candidates will sit for the ADRE exams in several examination centres across 28 districts. 8,27,130 candidates have been scheduled to take the test for the HSLC-level posts, while 5,52,002 candidates will appear for the Class VIII-level posts.