Patna: The first combined BEd entrance test being conducted by Nalanda Open University (NOU) passed off peacefully with the district administration enforcing strict measures to check the use of unfair means.

However, the experience wasn't pleasant for many students. At MLT College and Ramesh Jha College test centres in Saharsa district, 240km northeast of Patna, candidates were asked to take off their shirts to take the test."

Candidates who reached the centres wearing full shirt, shoes and socks were asked to remove those. A candidate at MLT College, on condition of anonymity, said: "When we reached the centre, we were not allowed to enter, as we had worn full shirts, shoes and socks. Many candidates like me were allowed to appear for the test only after removing these. Many candidates had to take their test in bare-bodied, while others wore vests."

The candidate claimed that it was humiliating, as there was no mention of dress code on the admit cards. Many candidates even staged a protest.

But Saharsa district magistrate Shailaza Sharma said: "The district administration had prepared for the test based on the guidelines issued by Nalanda Open University (examination conducting university). As per NOU guidelines and the booklet it issued, candidates were asked to come for examination wearing half-sleeve shirts and slippers."

Though candidates from Saharsa claimed there was no prior information about the dress code, Sonali, whose examination centre was at Magadh Mahila College, said: "A day before the test, we got SMSes on the dress code."