Quoting candidates, Indian Express reported that they were ordered to do so by supervisors to ensure they don’t cheat in the recruitment exam for soldiers on general duty and in the clerical and technical categories.
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According to sources, Defence Minister Manohar Parrikar has also sought a report from Army Chief Dalbir Singh on this issue.
On Sunday, some 1,100 candidates were horrified as they reached the examination centre and were instructed to strip. They had to remove trousers, shirts and vests.
Harishambhu Kumar, 21, who appeared for the exam for the first time, said: “We were frisked and then ushered into an enclosure”.
“We had no option but to comply with the instructions even though it felt odd”, one told the paper.
In a state notorious for cheating – blatant and often aided by examiners and parents – officials decided that it was the best way to eliminate the possibility of scraps of paper hidden in clothes.
Colonel VS Godhara of the Army Regional Office said: “I am entitled to take all precautions necessary”. Past year during the tenth class examinations students had cheated and their images involving mass cheating had been leaked to the global press.
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There were about 1150 candidates who were taking the exam. previous year as well a footage of students cheating during board exams in Bihar had gone viral on social media which showed relatives of the candidates climbing the exam building to help the students. This January, the Bihar government announced a fine of Rs 2,000 ($30) on students found cheating in the school exams.
