Bombay High Court Orders Immediate Upgrades to Exam Centers Amid Heatwave Risks The Nagpur bench of the Bombay High Court on Friday took suo motu cognisance of extreme heatwave conditions affecting examination centers in Vidarbha, directing authorities to ensure basic facilities for candidates appearing in major competitive tests such as NEET (UG), CA final examinations, and State-CET entrance tests. The court emphasized the urgency of the matter, as exams were scheduled for Sunday, and conducted the hearing on a holiday (Maharashtra Day) to address the issue promptly. The court highlighted concerns raised by a media report about inadequate infrastructure at exam centers in Vidarbha, particularly in Nagpur, where temperatures had reached up to 45 degrees Celsius. A division bench comprising Justices Anil Kilor and Raj Wakode noted that similar deficiencies might exist across other centers conducting NEET (UG), CA, and CET exams. The bench warned that candidates could face risks of dehydration, heat exhaustion, and other heat-related ailments due to the lack of proper ventilation, cooling arrangements, access to potable water, and medical assistance. Terming the issue a matter of "public importance," the court stated that conducting examinations under conditions posing health risks to students would violate Article 21 of the Constitution, which guarantees the right to life and personal liberty. The bench underscored that the responsibility of state and examination authorities is to ensure safe and fair conditions, as any lapse could cause significant hardship to students who had prepared for years. It also cautioned that discomfort during exams could directly impact academic performance and long-term aspirations.#nagpur #bombay_high_court #neet_ug #ca_final_examinations #state_cet_entrance_tests
