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Candidates appearing for second-year pre-university examinations, may not be allowed to wear any kind of watches. And, for time management, the exam centres will arrange for wall clocks in all the rooms.

To curb hi-tech exam malpractice by students using electronic gadgets including mobile phones, bluetooth and watches, the department is discussing the possibility of banning wearing of watches to the exam hall.

A source in the department told Express, “Discussions are going on; since the number of candidates appearing for exams is about six lakhs, higher authorities are yet to take final decision about it.”

The department is planning to introduce this rule following the successful implementation of the same by University Grants Commission (UGC) during the National Eligibility Test (NET). The vigilance was so strict that students were asked not to bring pens and were given one at the venue.

The Karnataka Examinations Authority (KEA) too has included this rule in the entrance test scheduled to be held from March 2 for the posts of assistant professors. The KEA itself has arranged for the display of wall clocks at all the exam centres.

Some officials within the PUE department say that “it will not work out.”

“For NET and assistant professors exams, the number of candidates appearing will be hardly 25,000. But the number of candidates taking up PUC exams has crossed six lakhs. How can they arrange clocks at all the rooms?” a source said. “Banning watches will only burden department,” they said.