Karnataka: KEA Bans All Head Covers In Recruitment Exams, Permits Mangalsutra

The ban on head scarfs in Karnataka recruitment exams comes as a move to eradicate malpractices and cheating in the exams.

In a latest development, the Karnataka Examinations Authority (KEA) has barred candidates from wearing any kind of head cover during the upcoming recruitment exams in Karnataka. The move from the KEA comes as a bid to curb malpractices in recruitment examinations like using bluetooth devices. The examination authority has, however, allowed female candidates to wear ‘Mangalsutra’ and toe rings during the examination.

Earlier this month, several videos did rounds on the internet claiming that women from the Muslim community were allowed inside recruitment examinations in Karnataka with their head scarfs (Hijab) on, while Hindu women were asked to remove even their mangalsutras. Following the surfacing of such reported incidents, right-wing outfits staged protests at several places in Karnataka.The latest announcement on dress code from the KEA comes days before the recruitment exams in Karnataka, which are scheduled to be held on November 18 and 19, across the state. 

Earlier this week, the KEA also released a detailed set of dress code guidelines for candidates to follow during the Karnataka recruitment Exams. The dress code issued by the KEA are as follows: 

KEA Dress Code For Male Candidates

• Candidates should wear half-sleeve shirts and trousers without pockets or deficit pockets. 


• Full-sleeve shirts, kurta-pajamas, and jeans pants will not be permitted inside examination halls. 


• If candidates wear 'Marusha' it should be without zip-pockets, pockets, large buttons and elaborate embroidery,


• Candidates should wear sandals or thin-soled sandals. Shoes are strictly prohibited inside the examination hall. 


• Metal ornaments around the neck, earrings, rings and bangles are prohibited.

KEA Dress Code For Female Candidates

• Women candidates should wear half-sleeved clothes only. Full-sleeve clothes and jeans will not be permitted.


• Women candidates must not wear elaborate, frilled, flowery, frilled or tattered clothes.


• High-heeled shoes and thick-soled shoes (or sandals) are prohibited at the exam centre. Thin-soled sandals are mandatory


• No metal ornaments except ‘mangalsutra’ and ‘kalungura’ shall be permitted inside the examination hall. 

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