Candidates would sit for the re-examination at different centres across the country on July 25. The fresh exam would only be for the nearly 6.3 lakh candidates registered for the previous test in May.

The board has asked the candidates to come in light-coloured clothes without big buttons and should wear open slippers. Among the items the candidates would be barred from taking inside the exam hall are cellphones, Bluetooth devices, earphones, hairbands, belts, caps and scarves.

Those who fail to observe the instructions would be disallowed from appearing in the exam.

The board has also directed the students to reach the exam centres well in time to undergo compulsory frisking.

"To curb malpractices in the AIPMT re-test, strict frisking of the candidates would be undertaken. Officials would be deployed to check ears of every candidate with torchlight, to make sure they carry no communication device such as Bluetooths inside the examination halls. Additionally, examinees have been told to wear T-shirts and light clothes and sandals. Jackets are barred," said Joseph Emmanuel, the joint secretary of the All India Pre-Medical and Pre-Dental Entrance Test.

The CBSE's decision to re-conduct the examination followed the Supreme Court's cancellation of the May 3 test in the wake of allegations of large-scale irregularities. Admit cards for appearing in the July 25 exam have been uploaded on the AIPMT website.

According to the new circular of AIPMT, the CBSE has asked students to affix their passport-size photograph on the downloaded admit card and get it attested from a gazetted officer or head of the institution.

The dress code has, however, baffled some students.

Patna resident Sushant Singh, a medical aspirant, said: "I wear two rings, suggested by an astrologerfor academic success. I have been wearing them for the past three years and performing well in my exams. I also did well in the AIPMT exam conducted on May 3. I do not understand what can students hide in their rings and other accessories."

Another medical aspirant, Saima Rahman, said: "We are not even allowed to use scarves to cover our head. What can I possibly hide inside my scarf? First, the decision to conduct a re-test of all students was wrong. The CBSE should have rescheduled exams in centres where malpractices were reported. I had prepared for the exam for an entire year but now, the rhythm is broken."

But the central board is not hearing any of it. It has even specifically written to the parents of candidates, urging them to ensure their wards adhere to the strict guidelines issued or lose their chance to re-appear for the exam.

Joint secretary Emmanuel said: "The candidates who will appear for the AIPMT re-examination would receive details of examination centres and roll numbers through email and text messages. The admit cards the candidates receive would also have a detailed lists of the dos and don'ts."

(telegraphindia.com)