1,300 state students take first-of-its-kind talent hunt test

Kolkata: As many as 1,300 students from various schools across Bengal participated in a Vidyarthi Vigyan Manthan (VVM) programme, which was a national level talent hunt conducted at 3,400 centres across the country and 31 centres in the state on Sunday.

So far, this is the biggest app-based online examination in terms of students' participation across the country. The exam was conducted in as many as nine languages. Students from Class VI to XI were able to take the exam that was held from 11 am to 1 pm. A total of 91,000 candidates participated across India. The students had to download the mobile application and register before the exam. Apart from phones, students also took the exam on tablets and computers.

Mayuri Dutt, the state coordinator of the VMM said apart from the city schools, a large number of students from other districts also took the exam. The ones who qualify will be asked to take part in their respective state camps before being moved to the National Camp in Delhi.

The successful candidates will be given several prizes along with a cash prize of Rs 60,000, which the winners can use for further studies. "It is great to see the enthusiasm among students from different districts. Students from the state are getting a platform to showcase their talents on a national level. The exam was conducted last year as well but not on such a large scale. This is the first time that an app-based talent hunt examination has been conducted across the state," Dutt said.

However, the exam process had some technical glitches in some of the state centres. The subjects included were science and mathematics, Indian contribution to science, life stories of Dr Homi Bhaba and Dr Vikram Sarabhai, logical reasoning and general knowledge among many others.