The Common Entrance Test (CET) is likely to be postponed in Karnataka as election dates have been set for April 18 and 23. The Karnataka Examinations Authority (KEA), which is currently holding a meeting with the Pre-University Board officials, is deliberating on whether to push the exam dates as CET dates will coincide with the second phase of elections.

Speaking to TNM, KEA Executive Director Girish said that the biggest issue is the availability of invigilators for the exam as most of the teachers will be on election duty. "Polling is held in schools and colleges in many places and exam rooms will also not be available. Lakhs of students write CET every year and it’s will not be possible to accommodate them during elections. We will decide whether we must push the dates after elections once the meeting is done. We will obviously have to hold the exams within a week after April 23,” Girish said.

CET is the entrance exam, which Class 12 and PUC II students must write to qualify for engineering, pharmacology and technical education courses in Karnataka.

The Karnataka Election Commission also is looking into the issue. Speaking to the media, Sanjiv Kumar, the Chief Electoral Officer for Karnataka, said the issue has been brought to their notice and they are waiting for the KEA to make a decision.

On Sunday, the ECI announced that Karnataka will vote in two phases — on April 18 and April 23. The Biology and Mathematics papers for CET are to be held on on April 23, while Physics and Chemistry papers are to be held on April 24. Kannada language test is to be held on April 25. "We may have to postpone the Biology and Mathematics paper. And also the April 24 exam. The IIT-JEE exam will be held on April 7 and April 20 according to the dates prescribed," Girish added.