Taking "serious note" of candidates in Bihar being made to write an army recruitment test in their underwear in a bid to check cheating, the army headquarters has issued fresh directives to ensure that the examinations are conducted in a manner that guarantees fairness.

On Sunday, around 1,100 candidates in Bihar's Muzaffarpur were made to strip down to their underwear and sit in an open ground to write their examination. The exam was for candidates who had successfully cleared their physical tests.

Army sources in New Delhi said the decision to make candidates appear for examinations without their shirts and trousers was taken by the local invigilating staff.

They said the idea was mooted by a "large number" of candidates who complained that many among them were resorting to unfair means, including using cell phones and bluetooth devices hidden in personal clothing, to cheat during the exam.

"Army headquarters has taken serious note of the incident and has directed corrective measures for ensuring fairness without causing embarrassment to the candidates," sources said.