Bhubaneswar, April 24: The Orissa Joint Entrance Examination, the gateway to obtain degrees in fields of medical, engineering and various other professional subjects, is set to start this year from May 1. This time, the authorities have made serious efforts to bring in as many students from all parts of the state as possible to appear for the examination.

The most appreciated change this year has been the establishment of multiple centres for the examination. Earlier, candidates had to travel to Bhubaneswar along with their parents to appear for the examination. But this time, the JEE authorities have set up as many as 176 centres across the country.

“It is a very positive move by the government to ensure that more candidates appear for the exams. Places that have more than 10 students appearing for the examination have got provisions of being examination centres,” said Binod Das, secretary of the Orissa Private Engineering Colleges’ Association. This is the first time that examination centres have been set up in all the districts of the state. Bhubaneswar alone has got 22 centres. “All these years, many students used to avoid coming all the way to the capital to appear for the tests. At times, it used to become difficult even for the parents and guardians of the candidates who had to skip their own important engagements to accompany their wards to the capital. The proximity of the centres from their homes this time will definitely bring dividends,” said Premanand Biswal, an engineering teacher.