In a significant administrative move disrupting daily routines across the state, the Haryana government ordered the closure of all government and private schools on Saturday, July 26. The decision was taken to accommodate the massive logistical requirements of the Common Eligibility Test (CET) for Group-C posts, converting educational institutions into high-security examination centers.
๐ซ Schools Converted to Exam Fortresses With approximately 13.48 lakh candidates appearing for the exam across 834 centers, the state administration required every available classroom to manage the crowd.
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Official Order: Education Minister Mahipal Dhanda confirmed the closure, stating that suspending academic activities was necessary to ensure a “hassle-free and secure” environment for the recruitment drive.
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Staff Deployment: While students were given a holiday, school staff and teachers were pressed into service as invigilators and support staff to manage the massive influx of aspirants.
๐ง Section 163 Imposed (New Section 144) To prevent cheating and outside interference, District Magistrates imposed prohibitory orders under Section 163 of the BNSS (formerly Section 144 CrPC) around all exam venues.
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500m Buffer Zone: Gathering of more than five people was strictly banned within a 500-meter radius of any school serving as a center.
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Business Shutdown: Photostat shops, coaching centers, and cyber cafes in the vicinity were ordered to remain shut during exam hours to prevent paper leaks.
๐ Traffic & Logistics Overhaul The closure of schools also helped alleviate traffic congestion, allowing the Haryana Roadways to deploy its fleet for exam duty.
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Special Buses: Thousands of buses were diverted from school routes to transport candidates free of cost to their centers.
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Advisory: The public was advised to avoid non-essential travel on July 26 and 27, as heavy congestion was expected near major educational hubs in Hisar, Karnal, and Panipat.
