Koppal, June 21 -- Tight security arrangements were maintained with heavy deployment of police personnel in Karnataka on Sunday afternoon, with candidates and locals alike hoping for the smooth conduct of the examination. Some locals pointed out the anxiety of students in giving the exam again after more than a month of preparation, while some candidates said that the "enthusiasm" for giving the exam is not like it was the first time around.

While police arrangements were strengthened at all centres this year, the usual excitement of first-time NEET aspirants was missing. "The enthusiasm of writing NEET for the first time is not there now," students said. Many arrived with anxiety, fearing fresh confusion or irregularities.

"All the stu...