JEE Aspirants Miss Exam Due To Deputy CM Pawan Kalyan’s Convoy In Visakhapatnam, Probe Ordered
A controversy has erupted in Andhra Pradesh after more than 20 Joint Entrance Examination (JEE) aspirants reportedly missed their exam on Monday morning, allegedly due to traffic disruptions caused by the convoy of Deputy Chief Minister Pawan Kalyan. The incident took place near the Ayan Digital exam centre in the Pendurthi area of Visakhapatnam.
Parents of at least 23 students gathered outside the centre in distress, claiming their children were denied entry due to late arrival, despite having prepared for months. “Our children have been preparing for this exam for months. Losing out like this over something beyond their control is heartbreaking,” one parent said.
Videos and messages quickly surfaced on social media, with many alleging that traffic blockades due to the Deputy CM’s convoy delayed students heading to the ION Digital Zone in Chinamushidiwada, where the exam was being held.
However, the Visakhapatnam City Police (VCP) issued a strong rebuttal, denying any link between the convoy and the students’ late arrival. According to the VCP, examination guidelines required students to report by 7 am, with gates closing at 8 am sharp. The Deputy CM’s convoy, the police stated, passed the area only at 8.41 am—well after the gate closure time.
“Therefore, it is clear that the movement of the Hon’ble Deputy CM through that area cannot have any link to the late arrival of students,” the official police statement read.
The VCP also noted that Monday saw 61 absentees at the centre—fewer than earlier exam days, which recorded 81, 65, and 76 absentees respectively. Police further asserted that no traffic was blocked on the Bus Rapid Transit System (BRTS) road or the adjacent service roads before 8.30 am, and that special efforts were made to ensure smooth passage for exam-bound candidates.
Despite the police’s defence, the Deputy Chief Minister’s Office (DyCMO) took the claims seriously and announced a formal inquiry into the matter. A statement from the DyCMO said that Pawan Kalyan had ordered a thorough probe into traffic conditions and convoy movements during the crucial exam hours.
“The Deputy Chief Minister has clearly instructed that people should not face any difficulties during his tours,” the DyCMO noted. “We have consistently told officials to minimise traffic disruptions, and the same protocol was followed during this visit as well.”
The DyCMO also emphasised that the coalition government had already adopted a policy to reduce the use of sirens and limit inconvenience to the public during VIP movements. Officials have been asked to investigate how long the convoy affected traffic, and whether any disruptions impacted access to the examination centre.
While authorities maintain that standard protocol was followed, the probe is expected to clarify whether any lapses occurred that may have led to students missing a key academic opportunity.
