Row erupts at SVP Hospital during Gujarat Nursing Council exam over candidate’s beard, cap

SVP Hospital, run by Amdavad Municipal Corporation (AMC), was selected as one of the examination centres for the nursing examination conducted by the Gujarat Nursing Council.

During the exam, a controversy erupted after an examiner objected to the appearance of a candidate who had grown a beard and was wearing a cap, leading to a standoff at the centre.

According to sources, when the examination began, a woman examiner noticed the candidate in the examination room and informed him about the exam rules, stating that wearing a cap and having a beard were not permitted as per the guidelines. She reportedly told the candidate that, under these rules, it was questionable whether he could be allowed to sit for the examination.

Following the objection, the candidate called his relatives to the hospital, escalating the matter. The situation drew political attention as reportedly, a former MLA from the Dariapur constituency also reached SVP Hospital. After representations were made, the authorities eventually allowed the candidate to appear for the examination.

Reacting to the incident, SVP Hospital in-charge medical superintendent Dr Sanjay Tripathi said that he was currently on leave but, as per messages received by him, the candidate was ultimately permitted to sit for the exam.

NHL Medical College Dean Dr Cherry Shah clarified that the examination was conducted by the Gujarat Nursing Council and that SVP Hospital was only a designated centre. She added that the examiner was from outside the hospital.