JEE Exams turned into a stressful ordeal for nearly 30 students in Visakhapatnam on Monday, April 7, after they allegedly missed their test due to traffic delays caused by the convoy of Andhra Pradesh Deputy Chief Minister Pawan Kalyan. The incident has triggered public outrage and a political stir, prompting the Deputy CM to order an inquiry into the situation.
The affected students were scheduled to appear for the Joint Entrance Examination (JEE) Main 2025’s second session at the Ion Digital Zone in Pendurthi, one of Vizag’s major exam centers. Parents and students alike reported that traffic police stopped them from proceeding on time to the exam venue to allow the Deputy CM’s convoy to pass through, causing delays that led them to miss the strict reporting deadline.
One of the candidate’s parents told the media, “We reached the exam centre just after 8:30 am, and the police said the gates had closed. We were held up because of the Deputy CM’s convoy, and now our child may lose an entire academic year. There are just two shifts left for this session.”
The JEE exams are a crucial gateway for aspiring engineers seeking admission into premier institutions for BE and BTech programs across India. The April session, held between April 2 and April 8, is considered the final opportunity for many students to improve their scores before counseling begins. Missing the exam could significantly impact students’ academic prospects and planning.
Despite these allegations, the Visakhapatnam police have refuted the claims. According to their official statement, students had been instructed to arrive at the center by 7:00 am, with the entry gates closing strictly at 8:30 am. The convoy of Pawan Kalyan reportedly passed through the key intersection at 8:41 am, by which time, they claim, the gates were already closed.
But the pressing question is: Should VIP convoys be permitted to disrupt public access to crucial events like the JEE exam, where even a minute’s delay can cost students their future?
“The students were supposed to reach by 7:00 am, and there were no restrictions in place before 8:30 am. Therefore, it is incorrect to blame the Deputy CM’s convoy for their delay,” said a senior police official. The police further added that more students had missed their JEE exams on earlier days of the session, suggesting that the April 7 absentees were not an exception.
Nevertheless, the issue has sparked protests and political heat. Student groups such as the All India Students’ Federation (AISF) and opposition party YSR Congress Party (YSRCP) criticized the handling of traffic and accused the police of negligence. Social media was abuzz with videos and testimonies from parents and students, amplifying the concerns.
Amid mounting pressure, Pawan Kalyan issued an official order for a detailed investigation. The Deputy CM instructed the Visakhapatnam police to look into the exact traffic conditions during the morning reporting time, assess how long vehicles were halted, and determine whether the students were indeed affected by the convoy movement.
A statement from his office emphasized, “Pawan Kalyan is firm about ensuring that his travel does not cause inconvenience to the public. The Deputy CM’s convoy is not above public welfare. The police have now been instructed to only enforce temporary traffic restrictions when VIP movement occurs and to prioritize civilian movement, especially during sensitive timings like competitive exams.”
Pawan Kalyan was on his way to Pedapadu village in the Alluri Sitharama Raju district, where he was scheduled to meet tribal communities and prepare for an upcoming roadshow. The convoy route overlapped with roads leading to the JEE exam center, inadvertently contributing to the delays.
Meanwhile, affected families are now requesting the National Testing Agency (NTA) to consider providing an alternate test date or special session for the students who missed the JEE exam. With only two shifts remaining in the April session, time is running out for those seeking a fair opportunity to compete.
As the investigation unfolds, students and parents across the region are anxiously awaiting clarity and hope for a resolution that protects the sanctity of the JEE exams — a life-defining milestone for many.
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